Anglia Telecom is the first distributor to complete O2s data training programme. />The Mobilisation Training Programme drills and tests sales staff in O2 data products and services so they are better equipped to data solutions. />The two-day event took place at Ipswich Town FC and attended by Anglia dealer account managers sales and connections staff. />Anglia managing director Dave McGinn said: Would you go to a dentist that wasnt qualified? So why go to a distributor for data that hasnt completed accredited training? />He went on: Dealers have to look for other revenue streams other than voice and data is what the networks are pushing. We are offering a full range of voice and data solutions. It is the way the industry is heading. />Head of O2 indirect partners and business mobilisation David Plumb commented: Initially launched to our internal sales force the programme was extended to provide our partners with the skills and knowledge they need to confidently position O2 data solutions that meet the specific requirements of their customers.

US accessories distributor Strax has struck a deal with BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) to distribute BlackBerry accessories across Europe. />The BlackBerry agreement adds to Straxs Original Accessory Packaging contracts which enable it to package premium brand accessories in one-blister-fits-all packs and issue them to retailers across Europe. />Strax UK managing director Barry Colman said: The management teams of Strax and BlackBerry have worked extremely hard to set up this European distribution agreement. />We are excited to add the BlackBerry range to our base in both original packaging and through our OAP programme as well as being given this opportunity to demonstrate our supply chain ability as a true accessory fulfilment specialist. />This pan-European partnership also enables the Strax offices in the United Kingdom France Germany Iceland the Netherlands Poland Switzerland Spain and Sweden together with the newly opened offices in Denmark Italy and the Czech Republic to integrate the BlackBerry accessories into their portfolios. />Strax opened new offices in Denmark Italy and the Czech Republic last week. Its expanded European footprint will help it win multi-market contracts with device suppliers and network customers it claimed. />Colman said: Network operators are looking more and more at />cross border accessory fulfilment />solutions.

New UK handset brand Fly Mobile has launched pre-pay devices to UK retailers. Its first UK device the pink SL500i is available at £59.99 from Argos. Orange is also ranging the handset in black and Orange-branded as the TR1. />Fly Mobile shipped more than one-million phones to overseas markets last year. Its UK pre-pay push will gather pace over the next six months it said last week. Each pre-pay handset will include a music player memory card support camera Java applications and Bluetooth. />A spokesperson said: Fly Mobile has enjoyed huge success in the markets in which it has focussed since its launch in 2003. />We are firmly setting our sights on the UK pre-pay market. We believe there is a significant opportunity to offer feature-rich devices at a level of value for money unavailable with other brands. />Fly has recruited Simon Gregory as its vice president of UK sales and marketing. Gregory has 15 years experience of the mobile industry.

Microsoft has appointed former O2 head of data products and content Hugh Griffiths as its director of mobile. />At Microsoft Griffiths will be responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the online services groups mobile division in the UK. />A Microsoft spokesman said Griffiths appointment was the next stage in the development of Microsofts mobile strategy to launch mobile versions of its services including Windows Live services like Hotmail and Messenger MSN portal and Live Search. />It follows recent announcements with telecom providers Vodafone and France Telecom to deliver next generation messaging services based on the Window Live Messenger platform. />Griffiths said: These are exciting times and I am delighted to be leading the next stage of Microsofts mobile strategy. />At O2 Griffiths was a key player in the development of O2s online mobile data and content offerings.

O2 took a swipe at rival network Orange last week for claiming its new pre-pay overdraft facility Reserve Tank is the first of its kind in the UK. />O2 said: Our Lend us a Quid scheme launched in August 2006 allowing O2 customers to borrow £1 off us when they run out of credit by calling the top-up line. Over 1.5 million customers have borrowed a quid from us since launch. />Oranges Reserve Tank is part of its pre-pay overhaul and enables customers to make £2.50 of calls after their credit runs out. />Orange has also changed the way customers redeem Magic Numbers its friends and family discount call service. Pre-pay customers can now nominate three numbers rather than one. Calls to Magic Numbers cost 15p for a whole hour. />Orange director of pre-pay Pippa Dunn said: Customers have been telling us theyve yet to find a pre-pay plan that offers the right combination of value rewards and simple pricing. The combined launch of Speak Easy Reserve Tank and changes to our rewards show our commitment to making it simpler for our customers to stay in touch. />Orange said it will continue its pre-pay training programme for Orange store staff and dealers. The deals will be backed by TV radio outdoor and press advertising.

3 claimed last week its simplified pre-pay deals still offered the best value in the market place with voice calls costing 5p on its highest value top-ups. />3 last week installed new top-up price points and removed their expiry dates. Customers can now add pre-pay credit of £10-£50. It also removed the requirement to opt in to 3 add-ons its pre-pay voice and text bundles paid for using top-up credits at point of sale. Customers can now visit the 3 portal or dial the 3 top-up line and choose the value package they want. The 30-day expiry period for add-ons stands. />It claimed its premium £25 add-on offering 500 cross-network anytime minutes is the best value in the market with calls at just 5p. />3 marketing director John Penberthy-Smith said: With no monthly bills or contract 3s pre-pay customers now have even more freedom. Whether talking texting or downloading customers can convert top-ups to an add-on that suits their mobile habits.

Vodafone has appointed former AOL president for Europe Karen Thomson as head of its new online business unit. />Thomson joined the network last week and will have a seat on the Vodafone UK board. The new online business will cover its non-voice services and is responsible for Vodafones broadband/fixed line offering Vodafone At Home and its online strategy. />Additionally Mark Evans has been appointed to the role of chief financial officer. Evans returns to Vodafone UK from Vodafone Ireland and will replace Emanuele Tournon who returns to Vodafone Italy. />Vodafone has also agreed a deal with YouTube to enable Vodafone live! customers to access selected video clips from the site for free until the end of June. />Vodafone live! will offer a Best of YouTube service selected and updated by YouTube. Up to 20 new videos will be added each day. />The videos are tailored specifically for mobile.

Yahoo! launched its mobile-only internet search facility oneSearch on its UK website on May 3. />It was also launched in France Germany Italy Spain and Canada. It launched in the US in January. />Yahoo! believes its venture will reshape the mobile internet search market. Vice president for Yahoo! Connected Life Europe Geraldine Wilson said: We created oneSearch because first generation searches for mobiles were not working. We found customers wanted fast answers and different types of information. /> oneSearch is the only mobile internet search facility intuitive to users needs and which provides relevant fast localised results. Its built to recognise what youre searching for and to bring up better results. On current search offerings if you put in a query youll get a long list of links. For mobiles thats just not attractive as you dont know which link is going to give you answers. />Wilson explained that by entering a term like London users would receive categorised links like weather pictures news whats on and maps. By entering a restaurant users would receive its phone number a click to call option and user ratings. />Most often youll get the answer youre looking for on the first screen. The answers are condensed and categorised. Weve thought of all the different search concepts a user could put in Wilson added. />Yahoo! hopes to become present on more operator portals and publisher sites. It is the search tool for 3G Hutchison but is working on agreements with other operators. />There will be huge advertising opportunities in terms of display ads and sponsored links said Wilson. />According to Yahoo! internet on mobiles hadnt yet taken off as it was often a frustrating time-consuming costly and inconvenient experience. />Wilson said: There are more than two billion mobile phone subscribers globally yet only 577 million mobiles are used to search the internet. />An Informa Telecoms & Media report estimated this 577m users would almost triple by 2011. />

More than 500000 companies have registered .mobi mobile internet domains since launch last year said the company in charge of registrations last week. />Mobile internet domains have been registered in 104 countries said dotMobi claiming most major brands have started to register .mobi names. />dotMobi chief executive Neil Edwards said: The consumer focus on mobile internet sites is bearing strong results in a short period. Consumers finally have easy-to-use and affordable made-for-mobile content.

T-Mobile launched its Wi-Fi internet service on the Heathrow Express last week. It is expected to bid to set up Wi-Fi on the Virgin West Coast route which runs from London Euston to Glasgow Central in the coming months. />Heathrow Express carries 15000 commuters on a daily basis it claimed. Its new HotSpot service provides broadband speeds of more than 2 Mb per second throughout the journey including a 6km tunnel section. Its the first time such technology has been deployed underground. />The Heathrow Wi-Fi service follows T-Mobiles launch of Wi-Fi on the London-to-Brighton train last year. Its partner for the roll-out is Nomad Digital. />T-Mobile head of internet on the move Richard Warmsley said: The service will help passengers make good use of their time which is what T-Mobile is all about giving customers access to the information that matters to them to manage both their business and personal lives wherever they are. />Nomad Digital chairman and co-founder Nigel Wallbridge said: This is a technology breakthrough. For the first time ever the Wi-Fi service offered to passengers on the Heathrow Express trains will utilise WiMAX technology underground thus creating an uninterrupted internet connection throughout the journey between Paddington and Heathrow Airport.