ETSI, which defines globally-applicable telecomms and IT standards, has confirmed a new SIM card format that’s 40% smaller than current micro-SIMs.

This fourth form factor - abbreviated to 4FF - is 12.3mm wide, 8.8mm high and 0.67mm thick. It’ll be published in ETSI’s TS 102 221 specification.

Sony Computer Entertainment says HTC Corporation will be joining its PlayStation Certified licence program, bringing PlayStation Mobile games to HTC devices. It’s the first non-Sony company to sign up.

The announcement also notes that ‘PlayStation Suite’ is now being called PlayStation Mobile.

Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK are planning to pool the basic parts of their network infrastructure, creating a single ‘national grid’ that runs independent spectrum for Vodafone and O2.

The companies - which already have a network partnership known as Cornerstone - say it’ll improve 2G and 3G coverage as well as providing faster roll-out for 4G mobile services. They anticipate delivering a nationwide 4G service up to two years before Ofcom’s anticipated regulatory requirement of 98% population coverage by 2017.

We're taking a break from the current mobile industry news headlines this Diamond Jubilee week. In fact, we're celebrating our own anniversary because it's six years since we first started recording The Fonecast.

Listen to this week's podcast and we'll take you back to 2006, a year in which 'mobile music' meant ringtones, the Nokia N95 redefined 'smart' and we reported rumours of a new Apple 'iPod phone' being prepared by Foxconn.

ABI Research has analysed tablet sales for the first quarter of 2012, calculating that 18.2 million devices were shipped worldwide. That’s an 185% gain year-on-year, although the total figure was down 33% on the previous quarter.

According to the Q1 2012 calculations, Apple saw 11.8 million iPad shipments - keeping it well ahead of the competition - while Samsung’s 1.1 million shipments returned it to second place, replacing the Amazon Kindle Fire.