Eqo Communications launches a new service helping expand the Skype presence and phone capabilities to mobile phones. Installing this software on cellular phones and PCs allows users to make Internet phone calls similar to how PC-based users do.

Google and Skype to invest in FON. Fon is projected to receive a total of $22 million in financing to continue working on an open source Wi-Fi network. Allowing customers the ability to join a network of hotspots and share wireless signals with other users.

Wizzard Software is pleased to announce that WizzTones is now available to everyone via internet download. WizzTones is a new, easy-to-use software application that works in conjunction with Skype, the leader in free VoIP solutions. WizzTones provides Skype users a simple and convenient way to create, manage and use multiple ring-tones for a compelling, personalized online telephone experience.

WizzTones allows Skype users to assign every individual on their Skype contacts list a distinct ring-tone, provide people with the freedom to walk away from their computers and still be able to distinguish who is calling. "We give people the ability to use more then one ring-tone, this makes ring-tones useful as well as colorful," says Andy Apter, Research Analyst for Wizzard Software. "The ring-tone market for cell phones generated $4.0 billion worldwide and it is estimated that in the U.S. alone, cell phone ring tone revenue should pass the $1.0 billion mark in 2007. Our research indicates that the VoIP market for ring-tones should grow substantially in the next several years as well."

Skype teams with Warner Music Group to provide users ringtones."In a first-of-its-kind agreement between a major music company and the leading Internet communications company, Warner Music Group Corp. announced it will make available master recordings from WMG's roster of world-renowned recording artists as ringtones to the more than 74 million registered users of Skype, who benefit from unlimited voice and video calls for free over the Internet."

RTX America, a world leader in wireless product development, announced the U.S. availability of DUALphone, a Skype-certified hybrid phone that allows consumers to combine the benefits of traditional phone lines with the advanced Skype Internet calling capabilities using a single cordless phone.

"With the growing popularity of consumer electronics, we are excited to be working with our partners to offer Skype-certified hardware," said James Bilefield, vice president of business development for Skype. "Skype allows people everywhere to connect quickly and easily with colleagues and loved ones. Skype certified products such as the DUALphone are making it even easier to communicate with those most important to you."

Wizzard Software is excited to announce plans to launch WizzTones, a new and easy-to-use software product that is enabled for Skype, the forerunner in free VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions. WizzTones will provide Skype users a simple and convenient way to create, manage and use multiple ringtones for a compelling, personalized communication experience. WizzTones will be available for download in January of 2006.

BT Group Plc, the former UK telecoms incumbent has fired yet another shot at Skype. BT first launched its attack on Skype back in late September, when it slashed its rates for VoIP calls to international destinations. The carrier has recognized the threat posed by Skype, Vonage, AOL, Microsoft, and now Yahoo who have all moved to undercut each others prices.

BT's Broadband Talk package's price has been cut in half and allows customers to use a normal telephone, rather than a PC. The price for evening and weekend calls is now $3.51 per month or $12.28 a month for anytime calls.

In the latest report from Wainhouse Research's quarterly WebMetrics research program, 70% of panelists who used Skype in the last six months found the VoIP service acceptable for business calls. This includes a mix of 17% who use it often, 27% who use it for business occasionally, and 27% who find it acceptable for business use but do not use it for business purposes. Only 5% believe it is not acceptable for business or personal use. While only 1/4 of the entire survey group has used Skype in the past six months, the acceptance level among those who have used Skype is believed to be a harbinger of things to come for web conferencing vendors seeking to bolster their Voice over IP (VoIP) offerings.

Airena Inc. announced the integration of its AirSet personal information management and group collaboration service with Skype to bring Internet telephony and chat to AirSet groups. AirSet's "lifeware" lets users manage all their important groups in one place through shared calendars, address books, to-do lists, blogs, and weblinks. With the Skype integration, group members can now easily speak with each other and schedule group conference calls or Instant Messaging chats using the Skype client.

Verso Technologies, a leading provider of packet-based solutions, announced today a paid trial of Verso's NetSpective M-Class Solution to filter Skype and other peer to peer (P2P) communications with a Tier-One carrier based in China. The trial is for an initial city level deployment and part of a sale for the fourth quarter of 2005, subject to customer acceptance.

The trial marks the introduction of the NetSpective M-Class with Skype filtering technology, a first of its kind carrier-grade application filter for mobile operators offering a bandwidth optimization and content management tool specifically for the mobile carrier market.

In eBay's presentation to investors regarding the purchase of Skype for $2.6 billion http://investor.ebay.com/downloads/050912ebay.pdf, the online auctioneer listed the monetization of lead generation as a primary objective. By adding Skype's VoIP capabilities, eBay hopes to venture into the burgeoning pay per call market. Can Skype deliver what eBay hopes?

Joe Siegrist, Senior Vice President of Technology at eStara the world's leading developer of VoIP-based click to call applications is available to comment on the latest developments surrounding pay per call. Siegrist directs software development and systems operations for eStara. An innovative software architect and accomplished VoIP development leader, Siegrist holds three patents and is a named inventor on a dozen patent applications in the voice over Internet and Internet-initiated calling space.

The following may be attributed to Jeff Pulver, Chairman of pulvermedia, regarding today's announcement of eBay's purchase of Skype.

"Today's move by eBay in purchasing Skype is transformational because it signals the ability and value of an 'Applications Company' adding a 'Communications Company' to its portfolio. This turns the entire telecom industry picture on its head, and demonstrates that voice, presence, text messaging and other IP-based applications will be essential for the company of the future."

Skype, the pioneering Global Internet Communications Company, which offers free high-quality phone calls to anyone with an Internet connection, announced the further development of its strategy, creating business opportunities for its thriving community of developers and partners by launching its Voice Services Program for third party content providers.

The Skype Voice Services Program developed in partnership with industry leaders like Tellme Networks enables any content provider, large or small, to become a part of Skype's new marketplace for either free or chargeable voice services. Content providers will join Skype's ecosystem of more than 400 Skype developers worldwide who are already offering hardware and software products to Skype's 53 million members.

Brightpoint, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Skype Technologies S.A. ("Skype"), the Global Internet Telephony Company(TM), under which Brightpoint will act as an authorized distributor of Skype products and services.

Actiontec Electronics is extending the world's most popular Internet telephony software, Skype, to the home phone with the Actiontec Internet Phone Wizard. When connected to a PC, this small hardware accessory allows free and low-cost Skype calls to be made from and received by any traditional handset. UK consumers who purchase the GBP 34 Actiontec product at www.dabs.com and www.retailonline.co.uk also receive vouchers for 60 free SkypeOut minutes and one month of free Skype voicemail under a UK-exclusive promotion that begins today.