Skype blasts telcos over net freedom

Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) giant Skype has blasted large telecom companies for threatening to charge Internet companies like Facebook to transfer data, especially on mobile devices, states The Inquirer.

Jean-Jacques Sahel, Skype's European director of government and regulatory affairs, says mobile customers are already paying network operators for Internet access with data plans that only appeal to users because they want access to apps and services like Spotify and Facebook.

French and EU authorities are having formal consultations over the open Internet, with the Information Society commissioner believing that EU regulations should protect network neutrality and freedom.

Tesco has lost its customers' VOIP numbers following the telco's plans to shutdown its Internet phone service last month, reports The Register.

Tesco customers asking to move their numbers are being told that it can't be done, despite portability being an Ofcom requirement.

Tesco's Internet phone service was handled by Freshtel UK, the demise of which prompted Tesco to drop the service.

Alteva, a unified communications solution provider, has formed a partnership with Microsoft and BroadSoft to provide hosted unified communications to small businesses, says Earth Times.

Alteva has developed a way to interconnect its hosted voice and messaging services with Microsoft Communication Services product suite, including Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint and Office Communications Server for both its small business and enterprise customers.

"By allowing for more fluid and direct collaboration between employees with one another, suppliers, partners and clients, a unified communications solution helps businesses of any size to streamline communications," says William Bumbernick, CEO, Alteva.