New Zealand MVNO TelstraClear – a unit of Australian operator giant Telstra – has brought forward its launch of consumer services in an effort to maximise benefit from rival Telecom New Zealand’s woes.

Google appears keen to extend its Android platform beyond the mobile operating system space, with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ)  reporting the Internet giant is testing a new television programming search service with US satellite TV company Dish Network Corporation.

Vodafone – the world’s largest operator by revenue – today announced plans to reduce its UK workforce by 375 from this month, primarily taken from back office functions. The company also cautioned that there will “be additional changes as further efficiencies and natural attrition in these functions take effect.”

US operator Verizon Wireless is again talking up its high-profile launch of LTE expected later this year, stating in a press release today that network field trials in Boston and Seattle have demonstrated “peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps.”

Dow Jones Newswires notes that state-run Indian operator BSNL is evaluating "various models" to add capacity to its mobile network, including an option of a managed contract.

ZDNet claims that investment bank Goldman Sachs has slashed its sales forecast for Google’s own-brand Nexus One smartphone.

Palm today announced that a public beta version of its Plug-in Development Kit (PDK) for webOS is now available, which will allow game developers to build games which include 3D graphics.

China’s ZTE is planning to release at least four smartphones this year running Google's Android platform, according to reports.

The Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (Atra) has fined Afghan Wireless Communications, MTN and Etisalat.

Shares of US operator Sprint Nextel rose Monday after CFO Bob Brust told investors the company plans to pay down its debt and continue to strengthen its balance sheet.