Voice-over-Internet apps like Skype allow users to make voice calls over the Internet while instant-message apps from WhatsApp to Kik let people exchange text and photos without being charged for a text message.

WSJ: Cellphone Carriers Face Pressure Over Texting

As Electronic Dance Music (EDM), continues to dominate concert lineups and award shows, Mixify is trying to translate the high quality audio and visuals of an EDM event to the Internet, by allowing artists to stream sets live and instant message with fans as they do so.

FORBES: Online Music Festivals: The Future Of EDM?

The proposals to be brought forward would address the fact the police - who can already tell when, where and who made a mobile phone call or sent a text message - cannot always trace the origin of an email, a message sent via instant messaging or a phone call made over the internet.

BBC: 'Fresh proposals' planned over cyber-monitoring