News In Brief: Nokia, Reliance Globalcom, Ericsson, Telstra, BT, Starbucks

Analysts predict Nokia will report lower profits when it reveals 4Q10 results next week. The firm’s continuing struggle to shore up its market share will drive earnings per share down to €0.19, Reuters reports.
 
Reliance Globalcom will deploy 40G optical gear provided by Ciena to upgrade a 6,400km cable route connecting the UK, Spain, Italy and Egypt.
 
Ericsson and ZTE have blasted state-owned Thai operator TOT over its handling of a 20 billion baht (€485 million) 3G broadband network expansion tender, after the carrier hinted the pair are out of the running, the Bangkok Post reports.
 
Australian incumbent Telstra has appointed IBM’s northeast Europe general manger Brendon Riley as its new COO, and hired Paul Fegan, former chief of St. George Bank, to head up its new Strategy & Corporate services division.
 
BT has opened a new ICT showcase facility in Australia, and revealed plans to expand its workforce and capabilities in the nation.
 
Starbucks customers in the US can now pay for their coffee using the iPhone and BlackBerry devices using a free mobile app. Users pre-load cash from their credit card, while iPhone users can also pay via PayPal, Brighthand.com reports.