This week's podcast includes news of two more UK virtual networks, Nokia's property deal, a break-up for ST-Ericsson and Huawei's new partnership with Three.

We also look at WiFi hotspots in London taxis, Ofcom's research into customer service, pre-loaded security software on Android smartphones and a man whose iPhone may have cost him a job.

A few months ago we heard that Huawei was planning to spend £1.3 billion in the UK on a number of projects during the next five years. It’s now announced new plans to invest €70 million (£56 million) to establish a research and development centre in Helsinki.

The money will be spent over the next five years as the R&D centre expands to employ more than 100 people.

Huawei has signed an agreement with Three UK to deliver service management and operations for Three’s core network. It’ll also be responsible for managing Three’s UK information and communications technology applications through a partnership with Tech Mahindra.

As a result, a number of staff will be transferred to work for Huawei’s managed services business and Tech Mahindra.

ABI Research has published new findings that show 49 million mobile broadband modems were shipped worldwide during the first half of 2012. Most were included in USB models, while others were ‘embedded’ in laptops or other consumer electronics devices.

Overall, 62% of shipments were USB modems

Mark Bridge writes:

Can you trust a Chinese company to build a telecoms network?  Apparently not, according to the US House of Representatives. The “Investigative Report on the U.S. National Security Issues Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTE” wasn’t at all impressed with the two companies, although most of the complaints appeared to be about a lack of cooperation rather than hard evidence. I wonder if any mysterious agents are planning to visit the new Huawei UK HQ before next year’s official opening?