Facebook Edges Closer to Taking On Skype and Cellular Networks

Facebook users in Canada can use the company’s Android phone app to make free calls.

An update to Facebook’s messaging app for Android phones allows people in Canada to make voice calls to their Facebook friends also using the app for free (even if those friends are outside of Canada). The new feature puts the company in direct competition with other call providers such as Skype (owned by Facebook ally Microsoft) and cellphone networks.