Russian operator MegaFon is trumpeting a new set of "smart home" products, which it has collectively dubbed Life Control. The system, says MegaFon, uses a range of sensors to handle tasks related to the remote control of the home, and also encompasses GPS trackers and fitness bracelets. Before any of the Life Control products will work, however, potential customers need to invest in MegaFon's Smart Home Center, which retails for 8,900 rubles ($150).

German digital service provider Exaring has turned to ADVA Optical Networking 's FSP 3000 platform to power what Exaring calls Germany's "first fully integrated platform for IP entertainment services." Exaring's new national backbone network will transmit on-demand TV and gaming services to around 23 million households.

British broadcaster UKTV, purveyor of ancient comedy shows on the Dave channel and more, has unveiled a new player on the YouView platform for its on-demand service. It's the usual rejig: new home screen, "tailored" program recommendations and so on. The update follows YouView's re-engineering of its platform, known as Next Generation YouView.

— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading