The head of ZTE's US business says the Chinese-based vendor is on track to launch a handset via a major US mobile operator by the end of the year.

Qatar's mobile incumbent, Qtel, and new competitor, Vodafone Qatar, have reached agreements on site sharing and interconnection.

Two of the UK's mobile networks today announced separate high-profile maintenance outsourcing deals, reflecting a growing trend by operators to attempt to reduce operating expenses and improve efficiency in network operation and maintenance.

Telecompaper notes that the merger between KT and its mobile unit KTF has been approved by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).

Indian operator BSNL expects its current financial year revenue to be at the same level as last year - missing an earlier forecast of 31 percent growth - as it failed to expand its market share, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Telecompaper reports that Russia's Alfa Group affiliate, Alfa Finance, has sold 62.2 percent of its shares in Alfa Telecom Turkey to Visor Group affiliate Nadash International and Alexander Mamut's Henri Services.

ReportonBusiness.com notes that Certicom's shareholders have voted in favour of being taken over by Research In Motion (RIM), which is paying US$3 a share, or about US$130 million, for the data encryption specialist.