Ofcom has scaled back its plans to increase the licence fees paid by UK mobile networks for the 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum bands initially used for 2G and 3G services.

It previously proposed increasing overall charges paid by the ‘big four’ mobile network operators from £39.7 million for the 1800MHz spectrum up to £170.4 million.

UK communications regulator Ofcom has published an online guide to help customers unlock their mobile phones.

Mobile network operators may electronically ‘lock’ mobile phones to their network when customers buy the phone. It’s necessary to unlock these phones before they can be used with a different network provider... and this is sometimes chargeable.

This week's mobile industry podcast begins with a quick look at the UK government's emergency legislation affecting fixed-line, mobile phone and broadband traffic.

We then talk about Microsoft's plans, a new virtual network from the Post Office, Samsung's renamed app store, budget 4G smartphones, a wearable phone for children and some misleading advertising.

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that a TV advertisement for Three didn’t explain the network’s free calls policy clearly enough.

A total of eleven people challenged the claim “we’ve made 0800 numbers free” because this only applied to new customers or new 24-month contracts.

In this week's podcast we talk about two of the big announcements from Google I/O: a new version of Android and the retail launch of smartwatches powered by 'Android Wear'.

We also talk about Android-based smartphones from Nokia and Blackphone, network complaints in the UK, a reduction in European roaming charges and mobile ticketing.