News In Brief: Microsoft, Google, Ministry of Commerce, NSN, Fortinet, ZTE, Mobixell Networks

Microsoft has updated its partner program, claiming the changes make it easier for its 640,000 partners to access customers, choose the right subscription package, and access cloud technology.
 
Google is suing the US Department of Interior, alleging it has been unfairly excluded from bidding on an email and collaboration technology contract.
 
China’s Ministry of Commerce vice-minister Chen Jian says the country won’t “significantly” cut its rare-earth export quotas for 2011, scmp.com reported. China accounts for 97% of global production of rare earths, which are used in electronic devices and precision instruments.
 
NSN claims new functionality for GSM networks released yesterday enables operators to manage up to four times more mobile phones than current networks.
 
Security company Fortinet has denied reports it is in talks over a buyout by IBM.
 
ZTE is claiming a world first after completing a 1x Advanced test call. The vendor says voice capacity was boosted four times using the 3GPP2-defined technology.
 
Mobile data services firm Mobixell Networks has launched a software-based network traffic management solution for mobile data traffic that it claims can cut the total cost of ownership of network upgrades by up to 75%.