Coalition fights airline cellphone ban

A coalition of electronics manufacturers, phone service providers and consumer groups is trying to rally airline passengers to stop US Congress from banning air-to-ground phone services, reports USA Today.

A measure in the House version of a bill set to authorise the Federal Aviation Administration is seeking to completely outlaw voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) while in flight.

The coalition group says airline passengers in the US should have the option of using technology that's available to them to talk while flying just as passengers in 72 other countries can.

Skype has rolled out a beta version of its VOIP software for Windows desktops and Symbian S60 handsets, states InformationWeek.

The latest version, called Skype 4.2, introduces Skype Access, which aims at removing the hassle of finding and signing up for WiFi hotspots.

The popular VOIP service has a large installed base on desktop PCs, but it's increasingly looking at the mobile space for growth. The software enables mobile users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G or WiFi on devices like the Nokia E71, N95, and other handsets.

VOIP solutions provider VocalTec Communications has acquired substantially all of the assets of telecommunications company Outsmart, says Earth Times.

Outsmart's mobile VOIP and intelligent network products are a strategic addition to VocalTec's existing portfolio of VOIP solutions.

Ilan Rosen, chairman of the board of directors at VocalTec, says: "The acquisition of Outsmart will enable VocalTec to get a strong foothold in the value added services area for the service providers, hence accelerate the growth of its business."