Demand for mobile data boosts Vodafone revenues
Strong demand for mobile data has helped Vodafone increase its service revenues for the first time in 18 months, as its key markets recovered from recession. Britain's third-largest mobile phone operator has reported a 1.1% rise in service revenues to £10.58bn in the last three months, reversing a trend that began in the final quarter of 2008. Revenue from data services such as smartphones and high-speed internet "dongles" jumped by 25%.

Via The Guardian


Customers cut off as scrap metal thieves target BT cable
Criminal attacks on ¬Scotland’s phone networks have caused huge disruption for businesses and householders, BT will say today as it warned a sharp rise in cable thefts across the country. The telecoms giant recorded a 9% increase in copper wire stolen last year, mostly the result of organised crime gangs ripping up cables to be melted down and sold overseas. The latest figures from BT confirm fears that the country faces an epidemic of metal thefts, causing millions of pounds of damage to the national infrastructure each year. BT said the thefts leave vulnerable people isolated, hamper access to the emergency services and cost the company huge sums to repair or replace.

Via Herald Scotland


Apple's White iPhone Delay a Chance for Antenna Redesign
A further delay of the white iPhone 4 suggests it could arrive near Sept. 30, when the bumper giveaway ends and, conceivably, Apple has an improved antenna. Like Henry Ford's Model T, you can have the Apple iPhone 4 in any color you want, so long as it's black. That's the continued message as Apple on July 23 announced further delays for the white iPhone 4, citing manufacturing challenges. The company says the "more popular iPhone 4 black models" are not affected by those challenges, but availability for the white iPhone 4 is now expected "later this year."

Via BusinessWeek


Yankee Group: 73% of iPhone users are happy with AT&T
According to a survey by Yankee Group, 73% of iPhone users surveyed are very satisfied with AT&T’s service. This figure seemingly contradicts the perception that AT&T’s network is struggling to handle the load of this data hungry device and is in direct opposition to comments by many iPhone users who are seemingly unhappy with AT&T’s service. Yankee Group attributes this discrepancy to a “halo effect” in which iPhone owners are so drunk with happiness over their handset that they perceive AT&T in a positive light.

Via Boy Genius Report


Malaysia's handling of mobile broadband service tax favourable: report
According to the global GSM Association, the Malaysian government's handling of mobile broadband service tax is having a positive impact on mobile broadband penetration in the country. Speaking during a visit to Malaysia, GSMA senior director, Asia Pacific, Jaikishan Rajaraman said findings from a Telecom Advisory Services (TAS) report on mobile broadband taxation showed that the Malaysian government has put in place some of the most flexible levels of taxation on mobile broadband service provision in the world.

Via Mid-Asia


Royal family opens Flickr account
Rare pictures of the Royal family have been posted on the internet after Buckingham Palace opened an account on photo sharing website Flickr. More than 600 photographs have been added to the British Monarchy's Photostream account. The images will be updated as new engagements and events take place.

Via BBC News