Google has confirmed its purchase of VOIP startup Gizmo5. Google confirmed the acquisition on its company blog. stating that Gizmo5’s engineers would join the Google Voice team to “continue improving the Google Voice and Gizmo5 experience.”
Spanish operator Jazztel and has signed a framework agreement with Huawei for network expansion. The deal includes data network and transmission network expansion, as well as the deployment of softswitch equipment. Jazztel has also awarded the vendor a renewable five-year outsourcing contract for the management and operation of its network.
Ad- supported music download service Spotify, has postponed its planned US entry until early 2010 as it negotiates agreements with US music publishers. The service, which is currently available in Sweden, the UK, Spain, France, Finland and Norway, was slated to launch in the U.S. yet this year.
Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom has signed an agreement with Vodafone to allow it to offer discounted mobile roaming rates in 17 countries. The companies will later extend the partnership into the sharing of customer premises equipment.
Apple plans to open 40-50 new retail stores in 2010. More than half will be in locations outside of the US, including two in Shanghai.