Imagine Communications Group, which is already rolling out '4G' WiMax mobile broadband technology across Ireland, has acquired the Irish operations of US-based rival Clearmax. Imagine expects its WiMax network to cover 90% of Ireland within two years.

UK Minister for Communications, Ed Vaizey, has today launched a programme of measures for radio spectrum modernisation. It's a simplified version of plans that were proposed by the previous Government but didn't become law due to the General Election.

Vodafone is running its Mobile Clicks challenge for the third successive year, searching for the best mobile internet start-up in the UK, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Vodafone Mobile Clicks 2010 is open to any start-up – either existing or planned – in the field of mobile internet products or services. The closing date for entries is 22nd August 2010. There's a €100,000 prize for the winner and €50,000 for the runner-up.

This week's edition of The Fonecast covers quarterly results from some of the industry's biggest names, along with stolen phones, stolen data, new jobs and legal action. There's also a conversation about smart metering and machine-to-machine communication with telecoms consultant Ross Catley.

James Rosewell writes:

Mobile network operators have responded en-masse to the success of Apple’s App Store. Apple should be very concerned. The Wholesale Application Community (WAC) has been formed as a corporate entity today with representation from AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, GSMA, KT Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom, Smart Communications, SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp., Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telekom Austria Group, Telenor, Verizon and Vodafone. Not many major Mobile Network Operators (MNO) are missing from the list.