This week's podcast begins with a heated discussion about the UK government's consultation about improving mobile phone coverage.

Iain, James and Mark then move on to talk about over-the-top voice services, mobile internet usage, patent deals, the UK's next spectrum auction and wearable technology.

LG Electronics and Google say they’ve entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement that covers a broad range of existing patents as well as those filed over the next 10 years.

The two companies already work together on a number of products including Android-based smartphones, tablets and smart watches.

Mark Bridge writes:

A suggestion that UK mobile phone networks might be forced to improve black-spot coverage by allowing interconnection with their rivals is back in the news. It made the headlines in June and has returned again this week, which is why I could be heard offering my opinion on BBC local radio yesterday morning.

The UK government has launched a three-week consultation on the options available to eliminate some areas of poor mobile coverage.

It’s focussed on areas of the country where some mobile networks offer coverage whilst others don’t.

Ofcom has fined Three UK £250,000 for failing to comply with its rules on handling customer complaints.

The communications regulator found Three had closed some complaints without ensuring they were fully resolved and had failed to log other customer calls as complaints. As a result, Three hadn’t made these customers aware of their right to independent dispute resolution.