News In Brief: Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Bell Labs, ZTE, COAI, Wikileaks

René Obermann will remain CEO of Deutsche Telekom until late 2016, after the firm’s board extended his contract for five years. Obermann’s current deal expires in October 2011.
 
France Telecom has launched an internal social network as part of its efforts to improve staff morale. The firm was heavily criticized for a high employee suicide rate prior to the appointment of current chief Stephane Richard.
 
Bell Labs and Belgian research institute IBBT have set up a joint research lab to develop new video communications technologies.
 
Chinese vendor ZTE has opened a new office in Germany to support Deutsche Telecom.
 
Indian GSM operators added 17.2 million new subs in November, taking the total to 525.8 million, according to COAI.
 
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was bailed by a UK court yesterday, following his arrest on sexual assault charges.
 
The value of global mobile marketing and advertising will grow at a CAGR of 41% to hit €13.5 billion in 2015 – equivalent to 15.7% of all digital advertising and 3.4% of total global ad spend across all media, Berg Insight predicts.