News In Brief: BT Openreach, NSN, Ericsson, MS, Tele2, Magyar Telecom, U-tel

BT Openreach has partnered with Israel-based ECI Telecom to aid rollout of its next-generation fiber network in the UK. The operator will deploy ECI’s multi-service access node in a deal reportedly worth reportedly worth $800 million (€634 million).
 
Nokia Siemens Networks has bagged a five-year contract with Slovenian mobile carrier Si.mobil to rollout its DWDM-based optical transport backbone. The deal covers installation, commissioning and implementation, and support and maintenance.
 
Ericsson has supplied its HSPA Evolution technology to Japanese mobile broadband carrier EMOBILE. The carrier began testing a network with 42Mbps peak data capacity yesterday, and plans to launch full service by the year-end.
 
Microsoft is planning to announce a small rash of job cuts as early as this week, sources told the Wall Street Journal.
 
Sweden's Tele2 is forecasting a net profit of 4.61 billion kronor (€480.2 million) for 2010. The company will release its Q2 results on July 21.
 
Hungarian telco Magyar Telekom has expanded its footprint in the west of the country, by snapping up cable TV and ISP firm Modultechnika for HUF1.5 billion on a cash and debt-free basis. The Deutsche Telekom-controlled telco expects the deal to close during 3Q.
 
Russian carrier U-tel has simplified its customer services by combining 99 help desks in 82 locations, using a Cisco unified contact center.