India's independent tower company Quippo Telecom Infrastructure (QTIL) has agreed to merge with the spun-off tower arm of Tata Teleservices, reports Telecompaper.

eWeek reports that BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) has extended the deadline for Certicom stockholders to accept RIM's hostile takeover bid of US$1.50 a share from 15 January to 27 January.

vnunet.com reports that Google is working on an Android add-on that will make the mobile operating system much easier for blind people to use, focused on a system whereby touching the screen would assign that point to the number five, the centre of the numeric keypad.

Unstrung notes that Clearwire is due to launch its first 'Clear'-branded WiMAX service in Portland, Oregon, this week, but is remaining tight-lipped on when it will activate the service in Chicago.

Ethiopian operator ETC has launched 3G (WCDMA) services in Addis Abada, notes Telecompaper.

The BBC reports that the UK government has said hospitals in England should allow a more liberal use of mobile phones where they do not interfere with equipment or privacy.

Reuters notes that US retailer Best Buy, seeking new ways to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers, is selling refurbished versions of Apple's iPhone 3G at its stores that are priced about US$50 less than new iPhones.