MOBILE WORLD: Summary of Today's Top Stories

The following summarizes Wednesday's main stories from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona:

 
   Qatar Telecom in 'Final Evaluation' of Potential Maroc Telecom Bid - CEO 

Qatar Telecom's (QTEL.DO) chief executive, Nasser Marafih, said Maroc Telecom (IAM.CL), could be a "good fit" with its portfolio of operators, and it is now evaluating what it would pay as an auction for Vivendi SA's (VIVHY) controlling stake in the North African phone operator draws nearer.

 
   Afghanistan Welcomes the Digital Age - Telecoms Minister 

Afghanistan's appetite for mobile technology and the associated need for digital security is transforming the country's communication agenda, attracting overseas investors and boosting employment, its Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amirzai Sangin, told the Wall Street Journal.

 
   WSJ BLOG: Spectrum: A Hot Item in Europe 

One of the hottest assets at Mobile World Congress isn't a sleek new smartphone, high-spec tablet or even a company for sale. It's spectrum--the frequencies used for radio, TV, mobile calls, 3G, 4G and beyond. There's only a fixed amount available and in Europe it's rather crowded, writes Frances Robinson.

 
   WSJ BLOG: The Internet-Connected Car 

Does your car need to be hooked up to the Internet? The mobile-phone industry hopes so, writes Sam Schechner.

 
   WSJ BLOG: Finding a Tough Phone's Breaking Point 

To be fair to the people at Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), they made it quite clear that the phone was not unbreakable. And they were right. It isn't. But they really wanted us to go for it, writes Ben Rooney.

 
   WSJ BLOG: Google and Samsung: From Friends to Frenemies 

A few years ago, Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY) threw its weight behind Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android wireless software. The result was a gigantic win for both companies, writes Spencer E. Ante.

Write to Bryony Watson at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires