This is still in beta version and not recommended to install in production systems

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/howto-install-skype-2-1-beta-in-ubuntu.html

What’s new in this release:

* Skype’s SILK codec for outstanding quality with negligible bandwidth usage,

* HQ video support,

* PulseAudio support,

* SMS send support (*Sending SMS requires available Skype Credit),

* Contact groups,

* Contact labels, or tags, for easier contact organization,

* Chat window improvements (typing notification, message editing, s/geeky text/replacement/, new emoticons),

* Nicer contact list with mood messages and video capability icons,

* Nicer tray icon.

More detailed release notes can be found from here

Install Skype 2.1 beta in Ubuntu

First you need to remove the existing version of skype using the following command

sudo apt-get autoremove skype skype-common

Now you need to download .deb package from here and install the downloaded package using the following command

sudo dpkg -i skype-ubuntu-intrepid_2.1.0.47-1_i386.deb