Vodafone UK has published a statement in response to what it describes as employee 'bribery' allegations.

It reads "Vodafone UK launched a thorough investigation at the time of the original allegations against journalists in 2006 and did not find that any employees were involved in any wrongdoing."

We start this week's edition of The Fonecast by talking about Nortel's patents before moving on to Google+, roaming charges, mobile payments and health concerns. We also find time to discuss app stores, some new research and the Pope's iPad.

As usual, you can download this week's show from iTunes - or you can listen to the podcast by using the audio player on our website.

Vodafone has launched an own-brand content channel on Google's Android Market, creating the first such channel in Europe.

The Vodafone channel will appear as a 'tab' on the Android Market home page. It'll offer it offers customers a selection of Vodafone services along with other news, sport, information and gaming apps.

Vodafone Group, Essar Communications (Mauritius) Limited and ETHL Communications Holdings Limited have agreed terms that'll see ECML and ECHL selling their shareholdings in Vodafone Essar Limited. ECML's subsidiaries held 22% of Vodafone Essar Ltd, while ECHL has a 11% shareholding.

It'll mark the end of a four-year partnership between Vodafone and Essar in India.

In The Fonecast this week we talk about mobile payment plans from the 'big three' network operators, a new bill-paying app from Pizza Express, spectrum trading, Nokia's new MeeGo smartphone, RIM's problems and a lot more.

Download this week's show from iTunes - or listen to the podcast by using the audio player on our website.