Telefónica UK has been chosen as one of the preferred communications service providers for the UK’s smart meter roll-out. Subject to contract, it’ll provide communications services across the Centre and South regions in a deal worth £1.5 billion over 15 years.

The provider for the North region is infrastructure company Arqiva, with a deal worth £625 million over 15 years.

Intel has introduced an Android-based tablet that’s specifically designed for education.

The Intel Education tablet has front-facing and rear-facing cameras, a stylus, shock-protected screen plus integrated loudspeakers and microphones.

This week we're talking about BlackBerry's options for the future, Vodafone's 4G launch, Apple's patent victory and LG's new smartphone.

We also discuss ZTE selling its Firefox phones on eBay, Nokia's acquisition of NSN, the cost of phone calls in Europe, the controversy about recycling bins that monitor footfall and the new face promoting HTC.

Telefónica Digital and note-taking service Evernote have announced a partnership that’ll see customers of participating Telefónica operating businesses receiving a one-year Evernote Premium account.

The deal, which could benefit more than 250 million customers, has been launched in Brazil.

The Mobile Data Association, which is the longest-established mobile trade association in the UK, says the process of reporting online abuse to the relevant authorities is in danger of becoming fundamentally unmanageable.

It’s warning that the increasing number of systems and mechanisms for reporting abuse, bullying and other criminal activity could result in an environment that is inadequate and fragmented.