As we've previously reported and also mentioned in today's podcast, a number of new European telecoms regulations come into force today. Ofcom has issues a statement that explains how these will affect the UK.

The changes include shorter contract terms, compensation for delays to number porting and improved access to emergency services for disabled consumers.

Everything Everywhere and BT Wholesale are working together to test 4G Long Term Evolution mobile broadband as an alternative to fixed-line broadband in rural areas.

A field trial will start from September, involving up to 100 mobile and 100 fixed-line customers living around the St Newlyn East area of Newquay. This is expected to be the UK’s first customer trial of 4G LTE high-speed broadband.

Nokia has announced a premium smartphone that has 18 carat gold-plated highlights, a sapphire crystal for the home key and Caledonian leather on the back.

It runs the latest Symbian Anna OS with a 3.5-inch reinforced glass AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 3G HSDPA and WiFi.

This week's podcast from TheFonecast.com covers the 'Quick Tap' mobile payment service from Orange, the new mobile OS update from Microsoft, the ultra-small SIM proposal from Apple and the termination rate complaints from almost everyone.

We also announce some changes to our programmes.

Mobile payments hit the headlines again, with Orange and Barclays announcing 'Quick Tap' - and O2 also revealing its plans. In addition we discuss an OS update for Windows Phone, an even smaller SIM for iPhones and an appeal against mobile termination rates by almost everyone.