Mobile network operators are facing a seven-fold increase in the cost of delivering data across their networks, according to Juniper Research.

As a result, it says these mobile networks need to deal with the costs of data delivery and the inefficiencies in base station operations if they are to remain economically viable.

LG Electronics has started rolling out 'remote customer care services' worldwide.

This will enable the company to diagnose software problems and upgrade firmware for mobile phones 'over the air'. The service has been available in South Korea since May.

Fixed-line telecoms provider Alpha Telecom has announced the launch of a UK virtual mobile network called Alpha Mobile. It's a prepaid mobile service that's expected to be available from over 90,000 retail stores across the UK by the end the year.

Buying a £30 SIM from the MVNO will give customers what the company describes as 'unlimited calls' to landlines and/or mobiles in more than 75 countries.

Mark Bridge writes:

I don't like marketing spin. You know, the kind of thing where the small print contradicts the headlines or where an embarrassing u-turn becomes a benefit. Given my chosen profession, I find it tends to stand out.

And so I turn my attention to T-Mobile's new 'You Fix' tariff. Sounds rather like T-Mobile's 2005 'U-Fix' tariff, but that may be coincidence. You pay a fixed monthly fee and - if you use all of your inclusive calls - you can add an additional allowance during the month by paying a bit more. Rather like buying a top-up on a prepay phone.

Airtime and accessory distributor Avenir Telecom has announced that it's now able to make connections to the T-Mobile UK network on behalf of its dealers.

The company, which has been in business for more than 20 years, was already able to connect via Orange, O2, and Three UK. It had previously stopped offering T-Mobile connections in 2009.