FASTTAKES: DoCoMo, Unicom, Qualcomm, Vodafone AU, TRA

NTT DoCoMo has revealed it will cut interconnect rates by between 32.7% and 35.6%, to comply with the government's guidelines announced in March.

 

Shares in China Unicom hit their highest level in more than two years yesterday on positive reaction to its new co-investment deal with Telefonica.

 

Generous smartphone subsidies will be required to meet China's goal of exceeding 100 million 3G users, and the market should soon see smartphones available for under $100, according to Qualcomm Venture China director James Shen.

 

Vodafone Australia has ended its agreement with Communications Direct following allegations the dealer was using the operator's customer database to farm for new business and engaging in other questionable marketing practices.

 

UAE regulator TRA has announced that MNP will take effect from March, allowing subscribers to port their numbers between Etisalat and du.

 

UK researchers have developed a local mobile app – compared to the server-based alternatives – that they say children can use to help detect predatory adults posing as fellow kids online.