CRIMINALS are costing businesses tens of thousands of dollars in credit card fraud by cutting the phone lines needed to verify transactions.

WOOLWORTHS is set to become Australia's newest mobile phone company with the launch of a no-frills prepaid service.

(Telecompaper) Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) saw its profits slip in first half ended 30 June on slightly higher revenues. Revenues increased 1.5 percent to IDR 30.67 trillion from IDR 30.21. The mobile unit saw its revenues go up by 11.1 percent while the fixed-line unit saw revenues slip 18.9 percent. Data, internet and IT revenues went up as well. Operating expenses rose by 7.6 percent due to increased depreciation, operational and maintenance costs, driving operating income down 7.1 percent to IDR 11.58 trillion. Net income stood at IDR 6.04 trillion, down 4 percent from IDR 6.29 trillion in the year-ago period. EBITDA was flat at IDR 18.25 trillion. Telkom ended the period with 8.71 million fixed-line subscribers, up 1 percent year-on-year, and 13.39 fixed-wireless subscribers, up by 82 percent. Mobile subscribers went up 45 percent to 76.41 million. The company also doubled its ADSL customer base to 816,000.

(Telecompaper) The French government has opened the tender for the fourth mobile network licence, publishing the procedure's details in the Official Journal on 01 August. Candidates have until 29 October to submit their proposals. ISP Free is the main contender. Cable operator Numericable and MVNO Virgin Mobile France have said they were considering making a joint bid. In principle, telecommunications regulator Arcep has until the end of May 2010 to decide on proposals based on nine criteria, including the credibility of the business plan, coverage commitments and access to the network by MVNOs. However, Arcep chairman Jean-Ludovic Silicani, said in June that he hoped that the licence would be awarded as early as next January. A France Telecom spokesman announced on the day of the tender's publication that the company would lodge a complaint with the European Commission for unlawful state aid. The fourth licence price has been set at EUR 240 million, compared to EUR 619 million paid by

(Telecompaper) The US Federal Communications Commission has launched an inquiry into why Apple rejected Google's internet telephony software for the iPhone. In letters sent 31 July to the two companies and AT&T, the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related applications from its App Store, the Wall Street Journal reports. The letter also seeks information on how AT&T, the exclusive US iPhone carrier, was consulted in the decision, if at all. Google said it will supply the information requested by the FCC, while Apple and AT&T declined to comment. The FCC's request for information is part of a broader inquiry on exclusive deals between mobile operators and handset manufacturers for popular phones.

(Telecompaper) Exclusive talks between Indian operator Bharti Airtel and South Africa-based MTN Group have been extended by a month. A statement from MTN said the talks aimed at swapping shareholdings and an eventual merger will continue until 31 August. The previous round of talks started in May and expired on 31 July. A merger would create an emerging markets mobile operator with more than 200 million customers across India, Africa and the Middle East. The statement said no decision or agreement to acquire any shares or implement the potential transaction has yet been made.

(Telecompaper) Vodafone Greece and Intracom Holdings have entered a strategic partnership, under which Vodafone Greece will acquire from Intracom a minority equity participation of 18.5 percent in Greek fixed telephony and internet provider Hellas Online (HOL). Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone and HOL will jointly and exclusively offer mobile and fixed-line products and services and broadband services on the Greek market. Vodafone will contribute its existing fixed-line DSL assets into HOL's business. Due to regulatory approval and commercial implementation, the transaction is not expected to be completed until Q4. Hellas Online added a net 48,000 new LLU subscribers in Q2, reaching a total of 215,000 at the end of June. The company captured 52 percent of new net additions in Q2, increasing its LLU market share to 26 percent, from 19.8 percent at the end of 2008. With 215,000 LLU customers, the operator occupies the second place on the market of alternative providers.

NICHE mobile virtual network operator GRLmobile has initiated an aggressive expansion of its retail footprint despite industry speculation that the company could be facing closure.

THE technology sector is showing early signs of recovery, with a lift in hiring intentions last month.

GOOGLE chief executive Eric Schmidt has resigned from Apple's board.