Quick news from around the Web.
Sony's inability to sell smartphones is costing it $1.7 billion http://t.co/XmHxnvx0ho via @verge
— FierceWireless (@FierceWireless) September 17, 2014
> Microsoft will reportedly lay off another group of employees as part of its planned cuts of 18,000 announced back in July. Article
> Thanks in part to weakness in its smartphone business, Sony said it is expecting a ¥230 billion ($2.15 billion) net loss for the year ending in March, compared with its previous forecast for a ¥50 billion ($464.8 million) loss. Article
> Sprint launched shared data plans for business customers. Release
> ZTE is working hard to woo U.S. consumers. Article And in the future all ZTE phones will carry the ZTE brand. Article
> Intel said China Mobile certified its XMM 7262 LTE-Advanced modem. Release
> T-Mobile US' personal CellSpot is available starting today. Article
> Foxconn is struggling to meet demand for the iPhone 6. Article
> Cricket Wireless is launching the first-generation Motorola Moto G, now with LTE. Article
> T-Mobile will carry Nextivity's Cel-Fi Duo, a dual-band smart signal booster designed for use on 3G, 4G LTE and UMTS networks. Release
> FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler urged consumer advocates and wireless industry representatives to address how carriers might be allowed to "reasonably manage" their Internet networks. Article
> Sprint announced a new home calling product. Post
> MVNO Republic Wireless is selling the Motorola Moto E. Article
> 4G Americas named Intel to its board of directors. Release
European Wireless News
> MVNO Virgin Mobile Central and Eastern Europe (VMCEE) has secured funding of up to €10 million ($12.9 million) to fuel its expansion in Poland, Turkey, and other parts of the region. Article
> A Telefónica executive told attendees at the SDN & NFV 2014 summit that a closed vendor ecosystem and the artificial tying of software to hardware is a bad move. Article
> Telefónica Deutschland is launching commercial trials of voice over LTE (VoLTE). Article
Telecom News
> AT&T is on track to complete the upgrades to its last mile network to support both new U-verse video and broadband customers and new fiber-based connections as part of its Project VIP initiative. Article
> Huawei is striking out into a related field--technology sales to large businesses--as a way to diversify its revenue sources and make use of its learnings in the telecoms market. Article
Cable News
> AT&T's John Stankey said content costs could actually increase for the combined AT&T and DirecTV, if AT&T's ambitious programming goals are realized. Article
> Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is expected to withdraw an effort to include in the pending satellite reauthorization bill rules that would give the FCC greater oversight over pay-TV customer service. Article
Online Video News
> Content rights loomed large at IBC 2014 as the multiscreen environment moves to the forefront. Editor's Corner
> Content providers, cable companies and distributors trying to figure out where to put their online investment dollars would be wise to invest in content rights and distribution, panelists said at an IBC 2014 session on managing content portfolios. Article
And finally… John Gruber thinks a gold version of the Apple Watch will cost $5,000. Article