Vodafone taps Ofcom for BT/EE spectrum; VimpelCom, Hutchison said to ramp up Italy merger talks

> Vodafone UK says it will ask the regulator to force BT and EE to give up spectrum and improve access to BT's broadband network. Article

> VimpelCom and Hutchison Whampoa have reportedly ramped up talks on a merger of their respective Italian units, Wind and Three Italy. Article

> Orange said it reached all of its targets in 2014, with the EBITDA margin stabilising at 30.9 per cent after falling 1 percentage point in 2013. Release

> Cisco is to invest $100 million (€88 million) in French start-ups, according to a release from the office of Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Release

> Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai said smartphone imaging sensors are among products that would help drive a surge in operating income from 2017 onwards. Article

> The Royal Bank of Scotland became the first UK bank to introduce biometric security checks on its mobile banking app. Report

> Uber, a company offering a ride-sharing mobile app, pressed the EC to investigate a ban on its service in France and other EU markets. Article

> Apple ordered between 5 million and 6 million units of its forthcoming Watch wearable device range. Report

> Samsung's investor relations chief said the company will invest part of a $56 billion (€49.2 billion) cash pile in acquisitions through 2015 as part of its growth strategy. Article

And finally…Smartphones can be just as good for your health as wearable fitness devices. Report