EU court rules against Skype, says it can be classified as telecom operator

BRUSSELS: Microsoft’s internet phone call and messaging service Skype can be considered a telecom operator as it offers a paid-for service and has a deal with network operators to carry calls, Europe’s top court said on Wednesday.

A Belgian court and the Belgian Institute of Postal and Telecommunications Service (IBPT) had sought guidance from the European Court of Justice on whether Skype’s SkypeOut service, which allows users to call from computers to a fixed or mobile line for a fee, should be subject to the same regulation as a traditional telecom company.

Skype had argued that it did not transmit signals itself and did not provide any electronic communications services such as those defined by current EU rules.