Europe

Kuwait-based Zain reported a 4.4 percent rise in net income for the first half of this year, but its results announcement was overshadowed by continued M&A rumours at the firm.

French telecoms regulator Arcep will this week publish details on the allocation of the fourth mobile license in its Official Gazette, Les Echos reports, notes Telegeography.

Light Reading notes that BT is getting out of the consumer voice and broadband business in Ireland and will hand over its customers to Vodafone.

The European Union (EU) yesterday agreed to free-up spectrum in the 900MHz frequency band for 3G mobile use, reports Dow Jones Newswires.

Cellular News reports that Netherlands-based operator KPN is to return some of its 3G spectrum to the telecoms regulator following a court ruling earlier this year.

The bidding process for France's long-awaited fourth 3G license was launched by the country's government on Saturday, with an asking price of EUR240 million.

Telecompaper notes that international payment provider PaysafeCard has signed a contract with BT to launch a mobile money service.