Webwire: Libya cuts off net; US broadband blackspots

Libya cuts off net access after revolts

Libya has echoed Egypt's former regime by cutting off internet access across the nation over the weekend, in response to pro-democracy protests that sparked a violent reaction from authorities.

Reuters

Third of US households lack broadband

One in three US households still lack a broadband connection, with the nation having a number of broadband blackspots, according to the FCC's new Interactive National Broadband Map.

CNN

Huawei offers free mobile network to London

Huawei has reportedly offered to gift a mobile network worth £50 million ($81.2 million) to the London Underground train system, which is in talks with suppliers to conduct the project for the 2012 Olympics.

AFP

Telecom NZ seeks probe of user data breach

Telecom NZ has asked New Zealand's Serious Fraud Office to investigate the alleged fraudulent use of its Wireline customer information database by competing ISP Slingshot. The breach reportedly could have cost the operator 100,000 customers, or NZ$60 million ($45.7 million).

The New Zealand Herald

Trai to calculate cost of issued spectrum

Indian regulator Trai will calculate the value of all spectrum awarded between 2001 and 2008, at the behest of state investigators, to provide an estimated loss during India's 2G spectrum scandal that can be used in the courts.

Economic Times

Renren planning $500m IPO?

China's largest social networking site Renren is preparing a US IPO this year, with a goal of raising about $500 million, according to people familiar with the plan.

Bloomberg

Zimbabwe punishes unregistered mobile subs

Zimbabwe regulator Portaz will no longer extend the deadline for compulsory SIM card registration, and has revealed it has already ordered operators to start penalizing users who had not yet supplied their personal details.

The Zimbabwean

Telstra plans 100 new shops

Australia's Telstra has revealed plans to open 100 new retail stores over three years, and to establish a new customer service unit as part of its drive to improve user satisfaction.

The Australian