NEWS IN BRIEF: PTCL, SK Telecom, Microsoft, Palm, TRAI

PTCL has contracted Huawei to build a nationwide longhaul DWDM network for the Pakistani operator, according to Pakistan's The News. The network will replace the operator's existing 10G DWDM.

SK Telecom has won a major contract - worth $222 million - to upgrade the networks connecting 2,600 military bases across South Korea, installing 3,200km of fibre-optic cable in the process, according to Trading Markets.

Microsoft has launched its first iPhone app, FierceMobileContent reports. Seadragon Mobile is a demonstration app enabling users to zoom in and out of web photos regardless of bandwidth constraints or image size. When asked why Microsoft launched an app for an Apple platform, a Microsoft representative said the company wanted to ensure Seadragon had cross-platform support.

Palm intends to launch its first mobile OS, titled Nova, at the US-based Consumer Electronics Show in January, according to FierceWireless

The Indian government is likely to reject the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposal to impose an administration tax on 3G license winners, fearing it could impair revenue collection at the upcoming spectrum auction, theEconomic Times reports.