Orange, the European giant wireless provider just released Libon, a Voice over IP service similar to Skype from Microsoft. As voice related plans decreases in favor of data plan. Mobile operator is looking the way to stay ahead of the game.

Users can use Libon client app (available now on iOS. Android version is coming) to make free voice or video calls and free text to other Libon mobile clients. Group call and text is available as well as visual voicemail. Calling to landlines and regular cellphones will cost extra. Furthermore, there are additional paid options such an hour of international calling per month will cost $3. No Libon clients are available for Windows or Mac.

Registration is done via Libon web site or from the mobile client (iOS). You will be asked to provide an email address, password and your phone number for authentication purpose..

Another twist, TechCrunch reports  that Facebook will integrate Libon on its social network sometime in 2013. Libon seems to be a direct competitor to Skype, which is owned by Microsoft. Facebook already received investments by Microsoft. So we do not know yet the real arrangement of all the parties.