Nortel snaps up Tasman
Nortel Networks said it is buying Tasman Networks for $99.5 million. The deal will boost Nortel's router business. Reuters (12/27), Bloomberg (12/27), InformationWeek (12/27)  
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RIM rivals mount a challenge to BlackBerry
As Research In Motion's patent dispute with NTP plays out in court, deep-pocketed rivals such as Microsoft and Nokia are developing their own wireless e-mail systems that could challenge BlackBerry. While RIM still dominates the market, analysts expects competitors to gain share as they roll out more devices equipped with mobile e-mail technology. Chicago Tribune (12/26)
China's broadband market growing fast
The U.S. led the world in the number of broadband lines added for the first nine months of 2005, but China is poised to take the top slot within the next year, according to a report by Point-Topic. DSL growth continued to outpace cable worldwide, and raised its total broadband market share to 65.9%, the report said. The Middle East and Africa ranked as the fastest-growing DSL regions, while Asia began to show signs of maturity. InternetNews.com (12/23)
Google can spin off AOL stake in 2008
According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Google will be permitted to sell its 5% stake in America Online in 2008. Both parties characterized the the clause as a standard part of a private equity arrangement. NYTimes.com (12/24)
Egypt's Orascom has grand ambitions
Orascom Telecom's deal last week to buy a 19.3% stake in Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International positions Orascom to become a major player in some of the world's fastest-growing mobile phone markets. However, rivals such as Vodafone Group aren't going to lay down easily, and Orascom will have to stay sharp to realize its goal to become a dominant force on the world scene. Bloomberg Businessweek (12/27)
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More rural Canadian communities hooked into broadband
Wireless broadband is turning out to be a handy way of extending high-speed Internet connections to customers in Canada's most isolated areas, and businesses are benefiting from the trend. According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, wireless initiatives have cut the number of communities without broadband access by nearly two-thirds over the past five years, an impressive feat considering the sheer size of the country. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/25)
Saudi mobile firm blocks SMS voting for reality show
Mobily said it would block mobile phone users from voting via SMS for contestants on the reality show "Star Academy" because the Saudi government has condemned the program. "Star Academy," which airs on Lebanese channel LBC, features a large group of young men and women sharing a house 24/7 as they compete for a recording contract. Mobily said the decision would result in lost revenue, but that its brand would have been damaged if it allowed SMS voting. CNET/Reuters (12/26)
Fiancier caught up in lawsuit over wireless spectrum sales
Mario Gabelli, a household name in the mutual fund business, has come under scrutiny for his involvement in radio spectrum deals made by small companies he has backed. Gabelli and others are named in a lawsuit that alleges he and affiliates got $90 million in federal discounts they weren't eligible to receive. At stake in the case are hundreds of millions of dollars in profits as well as the valuable wireless spectrum. Lanny Breuer, the defendants' lead attorney, says the allegations do not have merit. The Wall Street Journal (12/27)
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