> VimpelCom unit Orascom Telecom dropped its bid to control Canada's Wind Mobile, even as Verizon has expressed interest. Article
> Enfant terrible Free Mobile seeks to further unsettle rivals with a mobile network built from free home femtocells. Article
> Iliad said it would also consider bidding for Belgian operators Mobistar or BASE, if the company is put up for sale. Article
> Russian bank VTB said it is seeking a partner for Tele2 Russia, but ruled out Rostelecom. Article
> Telecom Italia is hoping that it will gain regulatory approval for its plan to spin off its fixed network by early next year. Article
> China's ZTE plans to up its output of LTE devices to increase production of higher end products. Article
> Finnish operator DNA considers an IPO or a sale to a private-equity company in an effort to broaden its ownership. Article
And finally... HTC has reportedly hired actor Robert Downey Jr. to be its spokesman in a two-year deal valued at $12 million (€9.1 million). Article