Webwire: Telstra, Nokia, Cisco, Verizon, China, Xperia Play

Analysts expect Australia's Telstra to report a decline in profit of up to 25% for the half-year to end-December, due to continuing declines in domestic fixed-line revenue and soaring customer acquisition costs.
 
Nokia is rumored to be planning to sack several executives, including the head of its mobile phone unit, in a management shake-up thought to form part of CEO Stephen Elop's strategic revamp.
 
Cisco plans to acquire video streaming technology developer Inlet Technologies for $95 million (€69.8 million), in a bid to lift its multi-platform video capabilities and fend off rising competition from HP and others.
 
The CDMA iPhone has helped Verizon pre-sell more phones than any other first day launch in the company's history – two hours into taking orders – with both Verizon and Apple quickly selling out.
 
China is using new storage facilities to stockpile rare-earths in a bid to shore up its global dominance of the sector’s pricing and supply.
 
Sony Ericsson will launch its games-focused Xperia Play early next week, details on the firm’s Facebook page reveal. The smartphone will run on Android.