The Spanish giants Q2 results revealed that its revenues are up 6.5 per cent year-on-year to €14.07billion euros and net income has risen by a massive 127 per cent to 3.83billion euros.

These figures have been aided by a 35 per cent increase in the number of broadband customers. Telefonicas profits were also boosted by the 1.3billion euro sale of Airwave which operates the UKs police radio network.

The group has now risen its outlook for 2007 to a 10-13% rise in annual earnings from an 8-11% increase.

Market analysts Ovum feel that Telefonica should be congratulated for its improved performance. Ovum senior analyst Steven Hartley said: Telefonicas ever-improving performance continues and should be applauded particularly as this quarter relies less on acquisitions and more on organic growth.

O₂ Orange T-Mobile Vodafone and 3 have all signed up to the new code which Ofcom hopes will lead to a reduction in the number of mis-selling complaints. Currently the regulator receives 400 complaints each month of this nature.

The new rules state that customers wishes must be respected at all times and they can only be contacted at an appropriate time of day. Data used to contact customers must be acquired legally and callers must introduce themselves properly and state the purpose of their call.

The code also states that sales representatives must not abuse the trust of vulnerable customers such as those with language or understanding difficulties.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: We expect this new voluntary code of practice to stamp out mis-selling in mobile; if it does not we will not hesitate to step in to protect consumers.

The device is called NeoVoice and it records GSM mobile phone calls in the same way as call centres record calls. NeoVoice connects into any PRI BRI or SIP compatible recording system which will prevent most companies having to replace their existing call recorders.

The system automatically records calls answered by company mobile users and informs incoming callers that their conversations will be recorded. Outbound calls that are made from the users contacts are also automatically recorded.

NeoWave managing director Justin Blaine said: Currently there is no such solution leaving many businesses tied to the office with inflexible trading conditions. Mobile recording will revolutionise the way in which people can do business

The device will be available from August 1.

The deal will see Carphone sponsoring all the episodes repeats and spin off shows of the X Factors fourth series which starts this summer.

Carphone take over the contract from Nokia who sponsored the first three series of the X Factor. The deal comes three months after Carphone ended its sponsorship deal with Big Brother over the Shilpa Shetty racism row.

ITV customer relations sponsorship and branded content controller Mark Rosenegk said: We are extremely excited about working with The Carphone Warehouse on our biggest entertainment format.

The possibilities for connecting with customers on this property are endless and the CPW demonstrated their commitment to maximising the potential of this powerful programme brand.

The total of US$11.3 billion compares with US$8.1 billion in 1Q06. The figure means that nearly one third of mobile data revenues now come from non-SMS services suggesting operators investments in advanced technologies are finally reaping rewards.

But this does not mean the end of the road for SMS. Worldwide SMS traffic was up year-on-year by around 50% to more than 620 billion messages in 1Q07 according WCDM.

SMS revenues were up 23% over the same period helping total data revenues to reach US$34.3 billion in the quarter the highest ever.

The higher increase in SMS traffic compared to revenue reflects lower SMS tariffs and the greater availability of bundled packages.

Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Group which owns 10.5 per cent of Virgin Medias shares is understood to be supportive of the sale.

Buyout firms Apax Blackstone Cinven and Providence have been said to be considering joining forces to put forward a rival offer. Apax has also been rumoured to be joining Carlyle in its bid. Cable firm ComCast and satellite TV company DirecTV are also eyeing Virgin Media.

Network operators are not expected to bid for Virgin Media because it is a cable operator and not an ADSL operator said analysts.

Virgin Medias share price rose by more than 14 per cent on news of Carlyles interest. However Virgin Media is reported to have lost nearly 47000 subscribers in the first three months of 2007 and before the Carlyle approach its share price had slumped by 15 per cent this year.

Virgin Media has initiated a review with Goldman Sachs of strategic alternatives which include its sale. However it said in a statement last week that a sale was not guaranteed.

Nevertheless Global Insight telecoms analyst Emeka Obiodu said Carlyles proposal looked to be the likely winner. Obiodu said: Virgin Media has been approached for sale before but on this occasion they have appointed a financial adviser which means they themselves are willing to sell.

The fact they are using other parties to oversee this suggests that they might not be confident in Carlyle or they might be looking to raise the price.

Speculation mounted last week that Carlyle will drop the Virgin brand should the sale go through.

Obiodu said: The Virgin Mobile name is an asset compared with the liability of [previous buyer] NTL.

Carlyle would be foolhardy to change Virgin Medias name based on the amount of money it would cost to rebrand.

Virgin Media remained tight lipped except to say it had received a proposal subject to due diligence and a period of exclusivity for the acquisition of the entire company but had not yet entered into negotiations with potential buyers.

The company has not engaged in negotiations with the offeror it said in a statement. A spokesperson added that the process could take up to two months.

This was dismissed as market talk however. There would be negotiations behind the scenes. An agreement just doesnt fall from the sky said Obiodu.

The program called mobileAct unsigned will air on both T4 and 4music. The show also promises gigs a tour TV exposure and a major record deal to the cream of Britains untapped music talent in its search for the countrys best unsigned act. The show is set to air next autumn.

The search will be led by a panel of well-known artists and industry experts. It is open to musicians from all genres who write and perform their own original music.

Viewers the acts and the music industry will be able to interact via mobile WAP and online. Initial auditions for the 12-week series will take place via the mobileAct website where unsigned bands can submit their own tracks and videos before the best 50 are invited to participate in filmed auditions. All entries must by in by August 5.

From September customers who pre-register for a two-year broadband contract with AOL costing £19.99 a month will receive a Dell laptop worth £500. The laptop features an 80GB hard drive 1GB RAM and 15.4inch wide screen.

The move comes a day after Orange Broadband announced that it was teaming up with PC World to offer a free laptop to customers who signed up to its broadband service.

Dell president of global consumer products Ron Garriques said: This is part of our commitment to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of a wireless digital home.

Billingsley is to replace Pippa Dunn who has been made Oranges pay-as-you-go director.

He will lead Orange UKs advertising and marketing teams and will be responsible for the strategy and direction of the Orange brand. He will report directly to Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke Orange UK vice president of marketing.

Prior to his role with Nokia

Billingsley was with Coca-Cola for more than eight years in various senior marketing roles across the US Australia Indonesia and the UK.

Van Overbeke said: Justin will be a key member of my management team and have responsibility for the development and direction of the Orange brand.

Orange is no longer just a mobile company. We now offer mobile fixed-line broadband and soon home TV. Justin will be responsible for evolving the brand to make it relevant to these new audiences while keeping it true to the values and aspirations that make it great.

From August 30 3 customers travelling to European countries will pay 25p per minute for outgoing calls and 10p a minute for incoming calls. These prices are significantly below the EU Commissions recommended rates of 38p per minute for outgoing calls and 19p per minute for incoming calls.

3 UK chief executive Kevin Russell said: Were excited. This is a great opportunity to remove another barrier between consumers expectations and the reality of mobile pricing. Weve always believed theres room to bring prices down and the EU has given us a level playing field to achieve it.