Worldwide mobile phone sales totalled 286.1 million units in the second quarter of 2009, a 6.1 per cent decrease from the second quarter of 2008, according to Gartner, Inc. Smartphone sales surpassed 40 million units, a 27 per cent increase from the same period last year, representing the fastest-growing segment of the mobile-devices market. The recession continued to suppress replacement sales in both mature and emerging markets.

LiMo Foundation™, a global consortium of mobile industry leaders today announced the newest round of LiMo-compliant handsets has been released to market. Developed by leading device manufacturers and LiMo members NEC and Panasonic Mobile Communications for LiMo board member NTT DOCOMO, these latest handset models offer an array of next-generation features and functionality. This announcement signals a continued expansion of LiMo’s footprint in the global mobile marketplace, as well as growing industry endorsement and coalescence around its collaborative device platform.

Subscribers of T-Mobile in the Czech Republic can expect to enjoy advanced 3G data and multimedia services thanks to a faster mobile broadband network as Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) is selected to build advanced 3G mobile network. The upgraded 3G network is based on the energy-efficient Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Multiradio Base Stations and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology. It is expected to be launched in Prague by the end of the year.

Today welcomes the first of many steps towards change in the Canadian wireless market. At a private employee event today, staff at Globalive Wireless were introduced to WIND, the company’s much-anticipated new brand name. WIND is currently being developed based on feedback from Wireless Soapbox, which has shown that Canadians are frustrated with their current carriers. WIND is harnessing this power of conversation by meaningfully engaging customers in the co-creation of a better mobile experience.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with Federal investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two sellers involved in illegal sale of jammers in Karachi. This initiative is part of the pursuance of PTA’s efforts against illegal sale of jammers. PTA carried out extensive survey and upon investigation and confirmation, successful raids were conducted by PTA and FIA on different shops at Karachi Electronic Market in Saddar.

Vodafone Germany and Huawei today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a joint test gauging the performance of LTE (Long Term Evolution) in the Digital Dividend Band. This agreement marks a joint initiative to validate LTE’ s application within the Digital Dividend Band (790-862MHz) using Huawei’ s end-to-end LTE solution.

Starting September 1, Nokia Siemens Networks will be led by Urs Pennanen in India. Currently Urs is the Head of Sales for the company’s Operations and Business Software business unit in Finland. He takes over as Sub Region Head of Nokia Siemens Networks for India and Nepal from Michael Kuehner.