Asia Pacific

South Korea's largest mobile operator, SK Telecom, and Bell Labs (the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent) today announced a partnership to work together on future mobile technology. A joint statement noted that "one potential project involves the two companies working toward defining what the architecture and shape of wireless networks will look like beyond 4G networks that network operators are introducing today."

Indian state-owned operators MTNL and BSNL have denied forming a consortium to buy a 46 percent stake in Zain, reports Telecompaper.

Cellular News reports that Chinese Internet search engine Baidu has entered into a partnership with China Unicom to provide wireless search for the mobile network operator's 3G subscribers.

Reuters reports that China Mobile, the world's largest mobile operator by subscribers, said today it hopes to soon have lower-cost handsets for its 3G service, as it tries to popularise the service based on homegrown standard TD-SCDMA.

India has finally confirmed a start date for the auctioning of 3G WCDMA licenses, announcing a timeframe of December 7 this year.

Datang Telecom has unveiled an e-book reader called AirPaper, in partnership with China Mobile, notes Telecompaper. The reader will feature TD-SCDMA and GSM connectivity

Taiwan Mobile has acquired Kbro, one of the country's leading cable TV operators in a deal that will create one of Taiwan's first converged multimedia players.