Asia Pacific

The South Korean telecoms regulator today gave approval for Apple's iPhone to be sold in the country in a move that could shake-up a local handset market dominated by domestic vendors such as Samsung and LG.

The popular microblogging service Twitter yesterday launched a Japan-based mobile version, hoping to penetrate a country where other US social networking sites including Facebook and MySpace have failed to capture much ground, according to an AP report.

Telecompaper, citing a Business Standard report, notes that a consortium led by India-based Vavasi group has sent feelers to China Mobile for a possible joint bid for Zain.

Reuters reports that China Mobile, the world's largest operator by subscribers, will next year introduce eight OPhone smartphone models from US vendor Motorola.

Telecompaper notes that Telstra has responded to the Australian government's plan to force separation on the company and said it will oppose the bill.

State-run Indian operators MTNL and BSNL are reportedly looking to join a consortium with Indian firm Vavasi and a Malaysian investor as they seek to bid for Kuwait's Zain Group and a stake in Zambian telco Zamtel.

The Wall Steet Journal reports that India's MTNL has sought bids to manage key equipment at its mobile services towers in capital New Delhi and adjoining towns of Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad.