The Transport for London network - which includes Bus, Tube, Docklands Light Railway, Tram and London Overground rail services - is upgrading its card readers this year to allow travel and payment using a contactless bank card. Travellers currently need to buy tickets or use a pre-paid 'Oyster' card.

Although the news doesn't specifically involve mobile payments, it's expected that any NFC mobile payment service would also be compatible.

Telefónica Europe, the parent company of O2 UK, has released its financial results for 2010.

It says annual revenue was up €15.255 billion, a 12.7% rise from 2009 (which represents organic growth of 4.4% year-on-year). The total European customer base reached 56.3 million, 14.3% higher than the previous year.<.p>

Mark Bridge writes:

The mobile user interface seems to fall in and out of fashion. Nokia and Apple have both transformed the mobile UI in previous years… but still the challenge of creating the 'perfect' user interface design remains.

This focus on mobile usability is the main topic of today's special podcast, which includes Chris Millington of Doro UK and Jerome Nadel from MobiWire.

Mobile usability is the main topic of this special podcast, which includes Chris Millington from Doro UK and Jérôme Nadel of MobiWire (recorded at Mobile World Congress). Conversation topics include the user interface, encouraging usage and designing mobile phones to suit a specific customer group.

Ofcom has issued a consultation about a number of changes it needs to make by 25th May 2011, which is a deadline set by the EU for new telecoms laws to be in place.

These include mobile number portability, SMS access to emergency services and contract terms.