Even pirates make phone calls

A Swedish firm called TerraNet is currently testing a peer-to-peer model for making free mobile calls.

Peer-to-peer, or P2P, technology has long been associated with the proliferation of online piracy for sites such as GNUtella, Napster and BitTorrent. But TerraNet expects the technology will improve communications in developing countries, particularly rural areas or even the desert, where reception is wanting.

According to the BBC News, phone manufacturer Ericsson has already invested £3m into the project.

Google, which has oft made mention of a "free" mobile platform, is toying with the potential of serving ads for its alleged gPhone service.