Pan-European research and education network operator Dante is deploying Infinera's DTN-X platform in its GÉANT network to provision 500Gbit/s connections on some of the busiest routes, citing operational simplicity as a key criterion in choosing its optical equipment provider. (See Dante Deploys Infinera in Europe and Infinera: Trendy? )

Against the backdrop of economic turmoil in Spain, the LTE World Summit opened in Barcelona this morning with a keynote from Orange's Spanish operator that conveyed the bleak market realities for mobile broadband here and in Europe in general. Orange Spain CTO Eduardo Duato addressed the need for reducing the cost of rolling out LTE in a country such as Spain and called for operators to engage in full active RAN sharing for the most cost-effective way to deploy LTE. (See Orange: Operators Must Share LTE Networks .)

Meanwhile, Orange France is joining forces with BlackBerry and SITA to launch a a Near Field Communication (NFC) trial at France's Toulouse-Blagnac airport, the aim of which is to allow people to slip "seamlessly" through the various airport processes, such as parking, flight ticket validation and so on with a nonchalant tap of their mobile. Fifty BlackBerry-toting frequent flyers will take part in the trial. (See Orange: NFC Won’t Make Us Rich .)

Telenet, Belgium's largest cable operator, is considering making an offer for KPN Telecom NV (NYSE: KPN)-owned BASE , the country's third-largest mobile operator, reports Reuters. Telenet is talking to various private equity firms with a view to making a joint bid.

China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (NYSE: CHA) has joined forces with EE to launch CTExcelbiz, which is a horrible name for a prepaid MVNO service aimed at Chinese residents of and visitors to the U.K. (See China Telecom Launches UK MVNO.)

— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading