Mozilla, the non-profit organisation behind the Firefox web browser, has said it’ll use the ‘Firefox’ brand for its forthcoming HTML5-based mobile operating system. A number of major mobile network operators have already expressed their support for the project.

TCL Communication Technology (which uses the Alcatel One Touch brand) and ZTE plan to produce the first Firefox OS devices.

The GSMA, the trade organisation that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, has announced a new scheme to help consumers understand and manage their data usage when abroad.

24 major network operators have agreed to implement a number of measures to help customers who are using their mobile phone abroad, reducing the risk of ‘bill shock’ when they return home.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority has not upheld two complaints made by Telefonica about ads for Vodafone’s Freedom Freebee tariff option.

TV and online ads had described the prepay tariff as offering £50-worth of calls for £10. However, Telefonica - the company behind O2 UK - argued that very few consumers paid standard tariff rates for texts and calls, which meant the comparison wasn’t justified. It also said the offer had run for more than six months and that the £10 price had become established, which meant that the package was no longer ‘worth’ £50.

Charles Dunstone, chairman and co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List “for services to the Mobile Communications Industry and to charity”.

Dr Michael Short, president of the Institution of Engineering & Technology and vice president at Telefónica Europe, is to receive a CBE.

Mark Bridge writes:

With just three working days for many people in the UK last week, you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing much would happen. However, you’d be wrong.

Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK announced plans to pool the basic parts of their network infrastructure in an expansion of their existing ‘Cornerstone’ partnership. It means that Vodafone and O2 will be using the same base stations for 2G, 3G and 4G service across the country. Responsibility is being split down the middle; Telefónica UK will take care of the east, while Vodafone UK will have the west. I imagine the dividing line running conveniently between the headquarters buildings in Slough and Newbury respectively.