At TalkTalk Group (TTG) net broadband additions were solid, possibly helped by stronger growth in total market demand; but churn at Tiscali UK appears to remain high

TTG revenue was heavily distorted by the Tiscali acquisition but appears to remain in gradual decline on a like-for-like basis, due to continuing decline in non-broadband customers

Carphone Warehouse’s like-for-like distribution revenue showed a firm pick-up in the quarter, with it likely enjoying the first quarter of significantly improving market growth since the recession started

December 2009 showed exceptional year-on-year growth of around 10% in TV NAR (Net Advertising Revenue), causing the year to end down -11%/12% according to market estimates, which as recently as August were contemplating a decline of -15% or below

The December spike reflects various causes, including robust retail conditions in the last days of reduced VAT at 15%, strong likelihood of marketers releasing budgets held back earlier in the year due to uncertainties over the economy and record-breaking audiences for The X Factor

TV NAR in Q1 2010 is shaping to be up by 1% or 2% on Q1 2009, but cyclical economic, structural and other one-off considerations have caused us to put our central case TV NAR forecast for 2010 at -2.5% down on 2009, with a further fall of -2.5% anticipated in 2011 before recovery starts in 2012

O2’s plan to launch competitively-priced ‘home phone’ offers in March should help sustain its current growth in fixed broadband, but is unlikely on its own to transform O2 into a significant player in UK fixed telecoms

The company’s fixed line foray is unlikely to reduce its mobile churn significantly, but nor does it look likely to increase it, with any residual net effect muted by the relatively small scale of O2’s fixed business

Demand for residential fixed telephony is declining gradually, and O2’s play is likely to make life more difficult for some established players, notably TTG, which is relatively dependent on demand from more price-sensitive customers

Google this week launched the Nexus One, a high spec handset equipped with the latest Android software, customised by Google, branded with Google and sold exclusively through Google (but made by HTC)

In contrast to its usual cooperative self as regards mobile, the Google go-it-alone approach of the Nexus One is likely to irritate handset manufacturers, handset distributers and mobile operators alike

The very limited distribution and limited marketing is likely to limit Nexus One sales, despite the strong hardware and software. The prospects for the Android platform in general remain strong, particularly in mid-range handsets, especially if Google maintains a more cooperative approach than the Nexus One launch has signified