ALSO NOTED: Saudi Telecom selects Huawei for mobile WiMAX network; Vodafone UK to beef up HSDPA speeds; and much more...

> Japan Communication, Japan's first mobile virtual network operator, said it asked KDDI to open its 3G network. Article 

> Saudi Telecom, the largest service provider in Saudi Arabia, has selected Chinese vendor Huawei to deploy the first WiMAX 802.16e-based network in the Middle East, covering major cities including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Release

> Vodafone UK said it will upgrade its high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) network to 7.2 Mbps by November and unveiled three devices that are compatible with the new and improved 3G network. Article

> The wireless baseband chipset provider Spreadtrum Communications announced it entered into a TD-SCDMA strategic partnership agreement with ZTE. Article

> A survey from the Wi-Fi Alliance reveals that word of mouth and marketing efforts from the Wi-Fi Alliance's 300-plus members contributed to increased brand awareness in China, Japan, U.K. and U.S. Release