Skype is opening a new technology center in London, reports the BBC, increasing the VoIP pioneer's headcount in the city to 330. The new jobs created will be in software engineering, product management and design. (See Officials Say Europe's Telcos Block VoIP and Euronews: EC Is Cool With Microsoft/Skype Deal.)

Italy's lower house of parliament has passed legislation opening up the country's telecom market, reports Reuters, in the process possibly upsetting the European Commission and Telecom Italia. The new rules allow, among other things, operators to use third-party firms for maintenance and related operations on network capacity rented from the incumbent operator.

In the latest instalment of a protracted saga, Norway-based operator Telenor Group (Nasdaq: TELN) has bought itself more control of Russia's VimpelCom Ltd. (NYSE: VIP), raising its stake from 31.67 percent to 35.66 percent. This was achieved through a US$715 million deal with JP Morgan Securities. (See Telenor CEO Joins VimpelCom Board and Telenor Opposes VimpelCom Acquisition of Wind.)

Euronews will be taking a short Easter break and will be back on April 10, several chocolate eggs to the good.

— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading