PRODUCTS: ZTE, Orange, Ericsson, Sony Ericsson, NSN

ZTE has launched a unified open environment platform aimed at helping operators meet demand for network expansion and application development.

Orange Business Services has announced two new methods of connecting to its IP-VPN. Air Quick Start has been designed to cut connection time and Air Back-Up offers diversity to minimize disruption.

Ericsson has launched a new social networking portfolio designed to allow operators to quickly develop social networking solutions.

Sony Ericsson has launched a new handset, the W995 Walkman, optimized for video playback. 

Nokia Siemens Networks has launched an open hardware architecture designed to ease the deployment of its core network applications - such as mobile softswitching and IMS.

Chinese telecom equipment vendor ZTE will launch 10 new smartphones at Mobile World Congress, from low to high-end. A highlight will be the VF 1231 model produced for Vodafone, which is running Windows Mobile platform on a single chip for GSM/EDGE.