I was wondering if there was any information about or any plans about in game voice chat? To me it would seem to be a no brainer for a realtime strategy game of the scale proposed with Sins. I can easily imagine having to first develop the "Technology" to enable FTL voice cummunication between solar system, then galaxies, etc. Perhaps also a "garbled speech" effect if you haven't researched the universal translator. Spy technology to listen in on others chats? Voice chat could become a HUGE feature if implemented properly!
Bandwidth an issue? Use P2P voice chat technology (which would add a "realistic" delay to chatting

)
Possible Technology Implementations:
FTL Radio Communication
Universal Translator (If you have it you can hear what the other person says, if you dont you get a garbled mess, making some chats one sided

)
Spy Satelites/Probes used to pick up others voice chats.
Organise battle tactics/plans with team members during a battle.
Set up informal diplomatic "agreements" outside of the "structured" game world agreements. (secret alliances?)
And more that dont immediately spring to mind.
So, as I asked originally, has any such information been hinted at by the developers?