Yahoo secures VoIP deal

Yahoo has agreed to outsource its VoIP operations as part of a deal that will enable nearly 97 million instant messenger users to make and receive cheap calls.

The firm launched its VoIP platform, which can be used to connect to landline and mobile phones via a PC, in 2006.

A new strategic partnership aims to deliver cheap voice calling capabilities for 97 million Yahoo instant messenger users.

Users of the application in over 200 countries will be able to access the popular 'Phone In/Phone Out' service.

Sabrina Ellis, vice president of Yahoo Messenger, claimed the deal ensures that the VoIP platform will continue to deliver "a great communication experience" for the foreseeable future.

IT giant Microsoft recently launched a $41.8bn (£21bn) bid for Yahoo, which has struggled to compete with industry leader Google.

This has been rejected by the firm's board and the Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is still considering whether to go hostile by taking the offer directly to shareholders.