euNetworks, the pan-European service provider which owns and operates 13 fiber-based metropolitan networks across Europe, is to acquire rival LambdaNet Communications Deutschland AG for €25 million ($35.7 million). euNetworks hopes the acquisition will enable it to deliver its services to a broader German market. (See euNetworks Buys LambdaNet and euNetworks Reports Q1.)
The "mobile wallet" concept seems to be, erm, gaining currency. The BBC reports on the launch of the Quick Tap service, which is a collaboration between Orange UK and Barclaycard and allows shoppers armed with accounts with the aforementioned and Samsung Corp. 's Tocco Lite handset (also out Friday) to buy goods up to the value of £15 ($24) with a nonchalant Near Field Communication (NFC) waft of their phones. So not that many goods then. O2, meanwhile, has named the firms it will be collaborating with for the launch of its mobile wallet service later this year: Wave Crest, FIS, Intelligent Environments and Visa Europe are all on board. (See O2 Names Mobile Wallet Partners.)
The European Commission is satisfied that the German government will not give undue legal protection to incumbent Deutsche Telekom in the country's broadband market, reports Reuters. Germany had planned to introduce legislation that would have made it difficult for other operators to compete in the market, the Commission believes.