News In Brief: Ericsson, Telecom Italia, BT, Vodafone, Aricent, Easynet

Fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger will use BT videoconferencing to offer virtual fitting rooms that connect designers in Europe and the US with manufacturing plants in Asia. BT developed the service with Tandberg, as part of a five-year managed services agreement with Hilfiger unveiled yesterday.
 
Vodafone yesterday unveiled its first own-brand Android handset, as part of the launch of eight new carrier-branded devices. The 845 runs the latest Android software – v2.1 – and will be available in 12 Vodafone markets.
 
Fixed broadband subscriptions grew 13% year-on-year to 430.7 million in 2009, according to ABI Research. The firm predicts subscriptions will total 548 million in 2015.
 
Aricent has won a three year contract from Nepal Telecom, the country’s largest telco, covering billing systems integration and mediation services. Aricent will combine its own mediation product with interconnection software from Intec to satisfy the deal.
 
Easynet yesterday unveiled four new deals it says proves the market for managed services is alive and kicking. The firm won contracts with Sharp Electronics (Europe), Sol Media, Transport for London, and Aquafil.
 
Ericsson is set to extend US firm Edgenics broadband network to 3.5 million homes in rural areas in the southeast of the country, Reuters reports.
 
Royal Bank of Scotland has upgraded its rating of Telecom Italia to buy from sell, citing an apparent rebound in the carrier’s domestic mobile business, Bloomberg reports.