Webwire: Apple delays iPad 2 in Japan; FT to buy 20% of Korek

Apple delays Japan iPad 2 launch

Apple has delayed the iPad 2 launch in Japan, originally scheduled for March 25, in the wake of last week's devastating earthquake. The company stated that the decision had nothing to do with any component shortages.

Reuters

France Telecom to buy 20% of Iraq cellco

France Telecom will pay $245 million to acquire a 20% indirect stake in Iraqi mobile operator Korek Telecom, as it pursues its goal of doubling revenue from the MEA region by 2015.

Financial Times

Ofcom to slash UK termination rates by 80%

UK regulator Ofcom will slash termination rates by around 80% over the next four years, beginning with the introduction of caps on April 1.

Bloomberg

Verizon to launch its first LTE phone tomorrow

Verizon Wireless will tomorrow launch its first LTE smartphone, the Android-powered HTC ThunderBolt, retailing for $250 on a two-year contract.

MSNBC

Apple twists SK Telecom's arm on pre-order data

SK Telecom has stopped publishing the details of its pre-order sales for the iPhone 4, in response to a request widely expected to have come from Apple.

Korea Times

Obama to press for privacy bill of rights

The Obama administration plans to petition US congress today to pass a “privacy bill of rights,” that would provide protections regarding the personal data of internet users.

Wall Street Journal

China's Qihoo 360 plans $200m US IPO

Chinese security software maker Qihoo 360 plans to conduct a US IPO to raise up to $200 million later this month, one of the growing number of US public offerings planned by Chinese companies.

China Economic Review