Facebook Under Scrutiny in Italy, Microsoft Scores Court Victory: Weekly Tech Business Recap

Knowledgeable sources say that Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) will not likely to make a counteroffer for MetroPCS Communications (NYSE:PCS), instead concentrating upon closing its $20.1 billion transaction with Japan’s Softbank Corp (SFTBF.PK). Sprint had said in mid-October that Softbank would purchase as much as a 70 percent interest in Sprint, but the carrier now believes that its making a bid for MetroPCS, which has already consented to a takeover by Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile U.S.A., would complicate the current regulatory review of its deal with Softbank, according to the sources.

NSN Services, a division of Nokia Siemens Networks (NYSE:NOK)(NYSE:SI), could be shut down because a crucial contract with Deutsche Telekom (DTEGY.PK) will not be extended, according to two inside sources on Tuesday, who added that such a closure would be announced on Wednesday at an employee meeting in Kassel. NSN brings in less than €100 million, or $130.7 million, in yearly sales and employs about 1,000 who ensure that calls and data are transmitted by means of overhead cable networks. Deutsche Telekom sold the business to NSN some five years ago.

Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA) reaches an arrangement with Synacor (NASDAQ:SYNC) that could lend it access to millions of cable and telecom subscribers. The latter is a tech firm that supplies authentication services, along with Web-based TV solutions, and with this deal, it will offer Zynga games to 45 cable, satellite and telecom companies. Beginning in 2013, Synacor’s customers will be permitted to offer their subscribers access to games from their homepages as well.

Nokia Siemens Networks (NYSE:NOK)(NYSE:SI) announced on Wednesday that it will divest its business support systems unit to Redknee Solutions (RKNEF.PK) as part of its move to sell off non-core assets. The buyer will pay €15 million, or $19.63 million, along with a maximum of €25 million for “performance-based cash earn-outs.” Additionally, Nokia Siemens had said on Monday that it will sell its optical fiber business.

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In a Wednesday press release, Vringo (AMEX:VRNG) said that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vringo Infrastructure, has filed an additional patent infringement lawsuit against the United Kingdom subsidiary of ZTE Corporation (ZTCOF.PK). The plaintiff seeks “a declaration that its patents have been infringed by ZTE’s activities, and that the Court use its full legal, equitable and injunctive power to stop ZTE’s activities as may be appropriate in the circumstances.”

Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Azure Storage is now in the cloud price battles with a price reduction of as much as a possible 28 percent for certain customers effective December 12th. The price drop, which follows two price reductions last week from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and one from Amazon Web (NASDAQ:AMZN) services, indicates a looming price war as the majors of the cloud vie for market share in the emerging cloud market.