FBI pushes for wiretap protection

The FBI told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) it should not change law enforcement's ability to wiretap, reports The Washington Post.

On a proposal in the US to move broadband access services into the same category as phone services, the FBI says the FCC should not strip away law enforcement authorities' access to communications networks.

The US Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act requires a telecommunications service provider to intercept calls for law enforcement authorities. That requirement applies to phone and broadband Internet services, including voice over Internet protocol (VOIP).

Mobile VOIP service Fring is being forced to stop its four years of Skype interconnectivity following threat of legal action, states Globes.

The move from Skype came after Fring released mobile video calling on iPhone 4.

Fring CEO Avi Shechter says: “We are disappointed that Skype, which once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users".

Telefonica is rolling out mobile VOIP solutions in Europe, says Telappliant.

This follows the mobile phone operator's takeover of VOIP provider Jajah earlier this year.

Consumers in Germany will be the first to receive the service via Telefonica's subsidiary firm 02 Germany. Telefonica has 54 million mobile customers in Europe.