Global mobile data market to be worth US$340 billion by 2014 - report
Emerging markets will be the key driver in the growth of global mobile value-added-service revenues from $200 billion in 2009 to $340 billion in 2014, according to new research from Informa Telecoms & Media. China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Russia, Poland and the Ukraine are expected to account for 36 per cent of the global mobile data revenues in 2014.

Via European Communications


Facebook reaches 500 million members
The milestone figure comes only five months after the social network signed up its 400th million user. The pace of its growth has accelerated rapidly - Facebook had only 150 million registered users in January 2009. If Facebook was a country, its 500 million members would make it the third-largest country in the world.

Via The Telegraph


Orange and Deezer join forces in digital music market
Orange and Deezer, the European specialist in music streaming, are teaming up to provide Orange customers with the first mobile and internet offers to include Deezer's Premium service. The two Groups are said to be working to create closer ties between "Wormee", Orange's music streaming service, and Deezer, resulting in Orange taking out a minority stake in Deezer.

Via Mobile Europe


TomTom feels smartphone competition
Orange is offering games on its network to lure customers who have the iPhone on other networks to sign up with Orange. With clever, and successful, marketing techniques, Orange have managed to gain many customers especially since it offered the iPhone. But now Orange are offering games to download through the iPhone App Store for anyone with an iPhone on any network.

Via Reuters


Ericsson in new business agreement with Telefónica
Telefónica, one of the world's largest telecom operators with operations in 25 countries and some 265 million customers, has entered an agreement with Ericsson and Indra, a leading Spanish IT multinational. The agreement includes transfer of Telefónica's complete pre-paid billing assets, related operations support systems together with about 500 employees that develop, operate and maintain the solution that today serves about 100 million subscribers in the Telefónica Group. The assets will be transferred to Ericsson and Indra, effective October, 2010.

Via EuroComms


British Airways to extend mobile app with ticket sales
British Airways has signalled its intention to move into mobile selling following the launch this week of its first smartphone app. The app lets people access flight information and check-in times, while executive club members can generate a boarding pass on their mobile that can be scanned by airport security, speeding up boarding.

Via NMA