Ofcom to delay 4G auction

UK communications regulator Ofcom has indicated the much-anticipated auction for next-generation 4G spectrum licences may not be held in the first quarter of 2012 as was expected, reports Computing.co.uk.

The UK's smallest mobile network, Three, has spoken out against the possible delay, suggesting that larger networks are deliberately holding up proceedings by threatening legal action.

“Ofcom has been explicit in its aim to begin the 4G auction as soon as is practicable and this remains our objective,” says an Ofcom spokesperson.

Amazon.com is stepping up social media efforts after the largest Internet retailer partially missed one of the hottest technology trends of recent years, reports Reuters.

Amazon hired a director of social media, John Yurcisin, from WPP's Ogilvy & Mather earlier this year to help the company come up with social strategies.

The company is also building a Social Games Group to take on Zynga, the leader in the space which is preparing for an initial public offering. Amazon is hiring developers and engineers for the effort.

Sprint has become the latest company to file a suit seeking to block AT&T from acquiring T-Mobile USA, says V3.co.uk.

The company says its suit would seek to block the acquisition on grounds of anti-competitive behaviour, arguing that the move would put Sprint and other carriers at a competitive disadvantage.

“Sprint opposes AT&T's proposed takeover of T-Mobile,” Sprint VP of litigation Susan Z Haller said in a statement.

While Apple hasn't officially revealed any details about the iPhone 5, German customers can now reserve theirs through Deutsche Telekom AG, according to Yahoo News.

This is yet another confirmation of the impending release of Apple's new iPhone. While Deutsche Telekom isn't making big moves to advertise the pre-order capability, Apple fans are sufficiently excited to spread the news by word of mouth.

The pre-order is available to customers who specifically request the iPhone 5, but Deutsche Telekom isn't sharing the exact release date of the phone even to those customers.