Nokia has announced that it's going to take over NAVTEQ, a Chicago-based company that produced digital maps for navigation devices. The deal, which will cost Nokia around $8.1 billion, will make Nokia one of the world's largest companies in the location-based services market. The purchase is expected to be completed in early 2008.

Ofcom has revealed that the Sitefinder web site, which contains information about individual mobile phone base stations in the UK, may become out of date in the future. It contains information that's provided voluntarily by mobile networks following the Stewart Report seven years ago. However, mobile phones have stopped providing data because Ofcom has been told - following a Freedom of Information request - that it must now publish all the information in a single database. The networks say this could jeopardise the security of individual sites and provide competitors with valuable information. As a result, Ofcom has contacted the Information Commissioner and is asking them to change their mind about the ruling.

The Guardian reports that 3 and Skype are working together to create a cheap mobile phone that'll offer free mobile internet calls. The phone is expected later this year. 3's new tariffs already offer free Skype calls, so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

O2 will offer UK customers free mobile access to MySpace and Facebook from next month, according to a report on BWCS.com. The news comes less than a year after Vodafone announced an exclusive deal with MySpace.

A man inadvertently disrupted a court session in Ipswich, near Brisbane, when his mobile phone rang with an 'adult' tone. The Australian newspaper says that proceedings were halted for up to 20 seconds due to the sound of a woman "moaning". The owner of the phone, who was seated in the public gallery, escaped contempt charges.

Advertising-funded mobile network Blyk has appointed Shaun Gregory as its UK Chief Executive. Mr Gregory had previously been Director of New Media at the Telegraph Media Group. Meanwhile, BrandRepublic.com reports that the new Colgate Max Fresh toothbrush and toothpaste brand will provide the first ads on Blyk.