Nokia Networks today announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding to acquire part of the wireless networks business of Panasonic System Networks Company Limited. The agreement covers Panasonic’s mobile phone (LTE/3G) wireless base station system business for mobile operators and related wireless equipment system business.

The two parties plan to conclude the agreement by the end of September 2014, with expected closure scheduled on January 1, 2015, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Under the terms of the agreement, fixed assets and business contracts with Panasonic’s customers are being transferred to Nokia Networks in Japan, including Panasonic employees involved in the business.

Through this acquisition, Nokia Networks aims to reinforce and further improve efficiency and quality control for product development and R&D, as well as strengthen its market share for base station systems and related wireless equipment in Japan. In addition, Nokia Networks plans to leverage its extensive global experience and technical leadership in mobile broadband to grow its business in the acquired domestic carrier segment globally.

Media reports in India suggest MTN Group is looking to break into the Indian market through the acquisition of struggling telco Tata TeleServices (TTSL). An unnamed source claimed that talks were still in the early stages, whilst a corporate lawyer who advised Tata regarding the sale of DoCoMo’s stake in the company confirmed that MTN had completed two rounds of preliminary discussions.

MTN has in recent years attempted to enter the Indian market through deals with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communication (RCOM), although the talks ultimately came to nought. The rumour mill was spurred on earlier this week by the announcement from the chairman of Mumbai-based industrial group RPG Enterprises who said that MTN was carrying out due diligence on a large Mumbai-based telecom firm. Whilst TTSL has been identified as the most likely candidate for a potential takeover, RCOM and Aircel were also suggested as potential candidates.

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed retail group Mr Price (MRP) has become only the second company to commercially launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in South Africa, eight years after Virgin Mobile introduced its services over domestic cellco Cell C’s network in mid-June 2006. TechCentral reports that the MVNO, branded MRP Mobile, is using MVN-X’s mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE) platform, and also leverages Cell C’s network.

At the end of May 2014 Steve Bailey, the former CEO of Virgin Mobile South Africa, launched his MVNE business – MVN-X – to help pave the way for the introduction of new MVNOs into the South African market; at that time the executive noted that he had a ‘large, well-known South African retailer’ lined up to launch operations, and it now transpires that Mr Price was the company in question.

Twitter reported a widened loss despite increasing revenue during the second quarter, with mobile continuing to play an increasingly prominent role.

The microblogging company reported revenue for the quarter ended June30 of US$312 million, up 124 per cent year-on-year and a healthy increase on the US$250.5 million reported for the first quarter.

However, it reported a net loss of US$145 million, up from US$42 million for the equivalent period in 2013, and from US$132 million for the prior quarter.

Mike Gupta, Twitter’s CFO, said the net loss during the period included US$158 million of stock-based compensation expenses.

Mobile monthly active users reached 211 million during the period, a 29 per cent year-on-year increase. Mobile users represented 78 per cent of total monthly active users, which totalled 271 million, up 24 per cent.

In addition, mobile accounted for 81 per cent of total advertising revenue, which reached US$277 million during the period, up 129 per cent.

During the period, Twitter launched a mobile app promotion, enabling developers to develop install-and-engagement via the platform. It also agreed to acquire TapCommerce, which provides mobile retargeting and re-engagement advertising.

Twitter’s outlook for the third quarter projects revenue of between US$330 million and US$340 million, with stock-based compensation expenses projected at between US$180 million and US$190 million, excluding potential equity awards in relation to future acquisitions.

The company raised its revenue forecast for the year as a whole to between US$1.31 billion and US$1.33 billion, from US$1.2 billion to US$1.25 billion predicted in its first quarter results.

Bharti Airtel reported solid figures for the quarter to June 30, although strength in its home market of India contrasted with a poorer performance for its African operations.

The company reported a profit attributable to shareholders of INR11.09 billion (US$184.42 million), up 60.9 per cent year-on-year, on revenue of INR229.62 billion, up 13.3 per cent.

Mobile data revenue was INR22 billion (accounting for 9.6 per cent of total revenue), up 73.9 per cent year-on-year, with growth across its geographies.

The company counted 287.15 million mobile subscribers at the end of the period, up 1.3 per cent during the quarter. The lion’s share of these came from India (205.52 million), which saw an increase of 1.9 per cent in the three months.

For its Indian mobile services, Airtel saw an EBIT of INR29.5 billion, up 40.6 per cent, on revenue of INR127.53 billion, up 9.9 per cent.

For its African operation, while Airtel reported an EBIT for INR2.8 billion for the unit, down 23.7 per cent, it also said that the unit saw a net loss of INR8.2billion, widening from an INR2.99 billion loss in the prior-year period.

Revenue for the African operation increased 17.5 per cent to INR69.69 billion.

The company noted a number of positive trends impacting Africa, including a return to growth for the telecom industry, “spearheaded by mobile Internet and money”.

It also said that much of the increased loss was attributable to foreign exchange issues.

Christian de Faria, MD and CEO, Africa, said: “With Niger and Chad having obtained licences, we will now have 3G presence in all 17 countries. Our investments in licences, networks and marketing are directed towards sustaining double-digit revenue growth”.