A new report from Berg Insight shows that global sales of handsets equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology grew by 300% last year to 140 million units.

Annual device shipments are expected to reach 1 billion by 2017; a compound annual growth rate of 48.2%.

Orange Group’s Board of Directors has issued a statement reasserting its full confidence in CEO Stéphane Richard, who was placed under formal investigation for fraud last week.

The investigation relates to Mr Richard’s previous role working for the French government; it’s been alleged he was involved in agreeing a €285 million arbitration payment to businessman Bernard Tapie that was inappropriately high.

Google has announced a new trial scheme that could provide internet access in remote areas. Instead of using satellite connections, it’s looking into the possibility of putting communications equipment on balloons.

These balloons would be in the stratosphere at about twice the altitude of commercial aircraft and would offer data speeds that were similar to 3G networks.

Mark Bridge writes:

The telecommunications industry was making plenty of headlines last week – but much of it wasn’t particularly upbeat.

The debate about privacy and security continued in the wake of allegations about US agents intercepting internet traffic. Meanwhile, Nokia prepared to make its last Symbian smartphones and Tradedoubler warned that mobile devices were having a negative effect on high-street consumer loyalty.

The European Commission has adopted two proposals that would ensure cars could automatically call the emergency services after a serious accident.

Its ‘eCall’ system automatically calls the 112 emergency number via a mobile connection and passes the vehicle’s location to the emergency services, potentially saving up to 2,500 lives a year and cutting response times by up to 50%.