Telecoms technology company Alcatel-Lucent has announced technical specifications for a new mobile network solution called lightRadio.

Instead of using conventional radio masts and base stations, lightRadio splits the base station into its component parts. These are then distributed into the antenna and throughout a cloud-like network.

Online music service Last.fm is introducing a subscription charge for listening to its 'Last.fm Radio' streaming music service on most UK mobile phones, including Android and iPhone devices.

Mobile scrobbling - automatically logging the music you play - will remain free, as will access to recommendations and forums.

Mobile phone manufacturer HTC says it’s making a "strategic investment" in London-based digital multimedia company Saffron Digital.

Saffron Digital will continue to provide media and content services to its third party partners, which include device manufacturers, network operators and content providers in 26 countries. The management team will also continue unchanged.

Mobile application company Antenna Software has acquired mobile internet software business Volantis Systems. The combined company will operate under the Antenna brand and will employ "the majority of Volantis employees".

Antenna will now be able to offer its customers a broader range of mobile web solutions, including the underlying architecture for mobile commerce and enterprise app stores.

The Nokia E7 - a 'communicator'-style Symbian smartphone that was first announced in September last year - has started shipping today.

UK availability hasn't yet been confirmed but is expected soon.