LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The telecoms regulator on Thursday fined the Greek unit of UK mobile giant Vodafone 19.1 mln eur for violating network regulations in a wire-tapping scandal that rocked the country last year.

The fine is the second handed to Vodafone Hellas over the case after a 76 mln eur penalty levelled by Greece's communication privacy watchdog last December.

Some 100 Vodafone cellphones in February 2006 were found to have been compromised by an illicit network that tapped sets used by Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis, his wife and several ministers from June 2004 to March 2005.

The tapping used software slipped into Vodafone's network by unknown perpetrators to illegally activate an Ericsson-made module permitting call interception.

On Thursday, the national telecommunications regulator EETT accused Vodafone of breaching regulations on the protection of telecommunications privacy, network maintenance and quality, and consumer protection.

The company rejected last December's fine as 'illegal, unfair and baseless.'

A Greek parliament committee collecting evidence on the case last November noted the involvement of three employees of telecoms giants Ericsson Hellas and Vodafone Greece, identified only by their initials.

'The whole system could not operate without Ericsson know-how and without access from within (Vodafone),' the report said.

The Greek branch of Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson has also been fined 7.36 mln eur over the case.

The parliamentary committee did not rule out the involvement of other people operating outside Greece.

The Greek justice department has opened an investigation into the case but nobody has yet been charged.

Days before the affair came to light, a senior Vodafone expert was found hanged inside his home.

The death of Costas Tsalikidis, manager of Vodafone Greece's network planning section, was linked to the case and his family suspects he was murdered.

Harry, as posted the other day - 4G Pah! 5G research centre gets major funding grant

Harry - A useful link.

4G in the UK: What it is, when it's coming and what it means for you

Yep, that's quite interesting, but it's the same with pretty much all technology. Each stage has to be financed, so customers need to buy the existing models which are almost obsolete. I have been looking at TV's and Samsung's website is showing virtually all with 3D capability, but in the shops most are still HD ready and Smart TV's. (i.e. No 3D capabilty - Those with are very expensive).
I remember years back having the same discussion with friends over which Pentium processor our computers had. Quite clearly Pentium were able to produce chips with much faster speeds ahead of what was actually being offered, so while we were buying Pent II, Pent III was already available (but expensive) and Pent IV was on the drawing board.

And there in lies the rub! That's why I'm still using a 6 year old mobile a 9 year old PC and 7 year old TV - things will be better tomorrow - not next year, so one (me) becomes reluctant to buy something that will immediately become 'yesterday's news'.

I read somewhere that 3D tv is already old hat - particular as the take up hasn't been as expected.

I use the 12 year old hand off mobiles of one of the family.

But I must admit my "newish" pc is a pleasure to use after the previous one.

But what has really improve my "experience" was having BT replace the cable to my router.

Verizon Q3 profit rises 16 percent on wireless business

Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:36am BST

(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) posted a 16 percent increase in quarterly profit helped by higher revenue in its wireless business after it raised data pricing and started selling the latest Apple Inc (AAPL.O) iPhone.

For the third quarter, Verizon posted profit of $1.59 billion (984.15 million pounds) or 56 cents per share compared with $1.37 billion or 49 cents per share in the year-ago quarter, when the company was hit with extra costs from a two-week workers strike and weather damage.

Revenue rose to $29 billion from $27.91 billion in the year-ago quarter. Analysts on average expected revenue of $28.96 billion according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Excluding exceptional items, the company reported earnings of 64 cents per share, in line with analysts' expectations.

Its Verizon Wireless venture with Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L), added 1.8 million net new subscribers in the quarter compared with 882,000 in the third quarter the year before.

(Reporting by Sakthi Prasad and Neha Alawadhi in Bangalore; Editing by Hans-Juergen Peters)

EE prices 4G services from £36 a month

Britain's biggest mobile operator, EE, has laid down a challenge to its competitors by pricing its new super-fast 4G mobile services from £36 a month.

The company, which owns the Orange and T-Mobile brands, said it was on a mission to make a land-grab for as many customers as it could before rivals Vodafone, Three and O2 are able to launch their rival 4G services.

Hmmmmm...I shan't be taking up that offer for quite a while then! I currently pay £10 pcm for mobile voice/text/internet with Orange. But I don't suppose that 4G is aimed at me. More for the business user?

I would have thought it's aimed at a younger generation who want to download films (movies) etc more quickly or have even faster access to twatter and faceache and the like.

Ah, that definitely rules me out then!

That makes 2 of us - you've seen my phone in post 326 above!

Enjoyed post 333 Skinney, very appropriate names. 4G obviously not for me either!

Goldman Sachs reiterates its Buy lowers TP from 227.00 to 224.00

Interesting article Vodafone UK chief prepares for 4G battle

If Guy Laurence, head of Vodafone’s UK business, is concerned about falling behind in the race to offer 4G phone services, he hides it well.

A reversal doji?

One of tankers favourites this one......has he worn himself silent??

RNS Number : 9271P

Vodafone Group Plc

31 October 2012

31 October 2012

VODAFONE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TELSTRACLEAR

Vodafone Group Plc today confirms that Vodafone New Zealand has completed the acquisition of TelstraClear Limited for a cash consideration of NZ$840 million (GBP429 million(1) ).

The transaction, which was announced on 12 July 2012, received final regulatory approval on 30 October 2012 and completed on 31 October 2012.

The acquisition strengthens Vodafone New Zealand's portfolio of fixed communications solutions and creates a leading total communications company in New Zealand.

- ends -

I've added a few here today,

Half-Year Results for six months ended 30 September 2012 on 13th November.

Ex dividend on the 19th November.

Yield 5.71%

12 month low is 164.20p

Ditto skinny I'm in @ 167.7 worth a punt.

yep, afew more for my SIPP. Should be the kiss of death!