FASTTAKES: Aircel, Axiata, AIS, Google, Ericsson, Huawei

India's Aircel is the target of a government probe into the source of funds for its 3G bid, over allegations of money laundering.

 

Malaysia's Axiata has reported a 9.5% increase in Q2 profit to 576.8 million ringgit ($183.7m), with revenue growth across all its operating companies.

 

Thai's two largest mobile operators, AIS and DTAC, have signed interconnection agreements with recent entrant Hutchison-CAT in line with regulator NTC's imposition of a 0.50 baht ($0.16) per minute cap. But third-ranked True Move has refused to follow suit, stating the rate is too low.

 

A loophole in the new Google Gmail voice service allows Australian users also to get free voice calls to the US and Canada. The service is initially intended for just North American users.

 

Web-TV has changed consumer’s viewing habits, with around 70% already viewing streamed, downloaded or recorded broadcast programs each week, according to research by Ericsson. The study also found that 50% of viewers access Web-based on-demand content at least once a week.

 

Huawei has joined the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, an economic development corporation focused on advancing the region's knowledge-based industries.