29 Feb, 2008
High Tech Computer (HTC) has decided to increase investment in its plant in Shanghai, China to US$42.96 million from the original budget of US$15.5 million, the company announced after a recent board meeting.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Nokia expected to expand partnerships with Taiwan handset chip solution vendors
27 Feb 2008
Industry source said, that Nokia will grow its component procurement flexibility and proportion, expect that Taiwan-based IC design houses will benefit from the move.
Industry source said, that Nokia will grow its component procurement flexibility and proportion, expect that Taiwan-based IC design houses will benefit from the move.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Taiwan handset makers may produce DVB-SH enabled devices
21 February 2008
Taiwan handset makers that have ventured into the development of mobile devices supporting DVB-T and DVB-H standards are likely to also develop devices supporting DVB-SH (digital video broadcasting-satellite services to handsets) technology in the near future now that the DVB-SH broadcast system is expected to enter commercial operations by the end of this year, according to sources in Taiwan's handset industry.
In addition to the main supporter Alcatel-Lucent, the DVB-SH standard has also drawn support from a number of solution vendors, handset makers and telecom operators, including Sagem, DiBcom, UDcast, TeamCast, Abertis Telecom, Eutelsat, SES Astra, and recently from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the sources noted.
US-based ICO Global Communications will enter trial broadcasts through the DVB-SH system in March this year, while other member companies of the supporting camp will also begin a series of field tests starting in the second quarter, indicated the sources.
Companies in the US and France are expected to lead companies in other areas to bring the DVB-SH system into commercial operations before the end of 2008, with Eutelsat and SES Astra of Spain to jointly launch DVB-SH broadcasting programs in the first quarter of 2009, the sources added.
Taiwan-based companies such as High Tech Computer (HTC), E-Ten Information Systems and Gigabyte Communications that have already begun volume production of DVB-T and DVB-H devices will be able to put out DVB-SH products in the near-term, the sources speculated.
Taiwan handset makers that have ventured into the development of mobile devices supporting DVB-T and DVB-H standards are likely to also develop devices supporting DVB-SH (digital video broadcasting-satellite services to handsets) technology in the near future now that the DVB-SH broadcast system is expected to enter commercial operations by the end of this year, according to sources in Taiwan's handset industry.
In addition to the main supporter Alcatel-Lucent, the DVB-SH standard has also drawn support from a number of solution vendors, handset makers and telecom operators, including Sagem, DiBcom, UDcast, TeamCast, Abertis Telecom, Eutelsat, SES Astra, and recently from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the sources noted.
US-based ICO Global Communications will enter trial broadcasts through the DVB-SH system in March this year, while other member companies of the supporting camp will also begin a series of field tests starting in the second quarter, indicated the sources.
Companies in the US and France are expected to lead companies in other areas to bring the DVB-SH system into commercial operations before the end of 2008, with Eutelsat and SES Astra of Spain to jointly launch DVB-SH broadcasting programs in the first quarter of 2009, the sources added.
Taiwan-based companies such as High Tech Computer (HTC), E-Ten Information Systems and Gigabyte Communications that have already begun volume production of DVB-T and DVB-H devices will be able to put out DVB-SH products in the near-term, the sources speculated.
China Mobile Eyes Overseas Expansion Opportunities
21 Feb 2008
China Mobile, the world's largest operator by subscriber numbers has announced plans to seek overseas expansion and is considering setting up an MVNO in the saturated European market, along with industry favourite - the emerging markets of Asia and Africa.
Henry Ge, chief representative of China Mobile UK, told the Financial Times that the company would focus on three areas: emerging markets; overseas Chinese customers wanting to keep in touch with home; and "the short-term visiting market", which included travelling business customers and the growing number of Chinese tourists.
Vodafone has built up a 3.3 percent stake in China Mobile over a couple of purchases and has a representative on the company board of directors.
Last year, the China Mobile's unlisted parent company took control of Pakistan based Paktel for US$460 million and announced plans to spend a similar amount on improving the network.
On the web: Financial Times
China Mobile, the world's largest operator by subscriber numbers has announced plans to seek overseas expansion and is considering setting up an MVNO in the saturated European market, along with industry favourite - the emerging markets of Asia and Africa.
Henry Ge, chief representative of China Mobile UK, told the Financial Times that the company would focus on three areas: emerging markets; overseas Chinese customers wanting to keep in touch with home; and "the short-term visiting market", which included travelling business customers and the growing number of Chinese tourists.
Vodafone has built up a 3.3 percent stake in China Mobile over a couple of purchases and has a representative on the company board of directors.
Last year, the China Mobile's unlisted parent company took control of Pakistan based Paktel for US$460 million and announced plans to spend a similar amount on improving the network.
On the web: Financial Times
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Taiwan market: Sony Ericsson to push sales of 3.5G data cards
20 February 2008
Sony Ericsson plans to introduce three 3.5G data cards in Taiwan starting in the second quarter of this year, according to Steve Yeh, president of Sony Ericsson Taiwan.
The lineup will include the MD300 supporting a USB interface, the EC400 supporting ExpressCard and the EC400g supporting GPS technology, Yeh said, noting that Sony Ericsson is now in talks with three to four telecom operators for joint promotion of the MD300.
In addition, Sony Ericsson is expected to launch 10 new handsets in Taiwan in the first half of this year, including the R306 Radio and about three 3.5G handsets, Yeh stated.
Sony Ericsson also plans to introduce the Windows Mobile-based Xperia X1, which will be outsourced to High Tech Computer (HTC), into the local market, with a launch schedule yet to be decided, Yeh revealed.
Sony Ericsson plans to introduce three 3.5G data cards in Taiwan starting in the second quarter of this year, according to Steve Yeh, president of Sony Ericsson Taiwan.
The lineup will include the MD300 supporting a USB interface, the EC400 supporting ExpressCard and the EC400g supporting GPS technology, Yeh said, noting that Sony Ericsson is now in talks with three to four telecom operators for joint promotion of the MD300.
In addition, Sony Ericsson is expected to launch 10 new handsets in Taiwan in the first half of this year, including the R306 Radio and about three 3.5G handsets, Yeh stated.
Sony Ericsson also plans to introduce the Windows Mobile-based Xperia X1, which will be outsourced to High Tech Computer (HTC), into the local market, with a launch schedule yet to be decided, Yeh revealed.
Brain-reading headset to sell for $299
Brain Wave-Reading Video Game Headset to Go on Sale Later This Year
Hands cramping up from too many video games?
How about controlling games with your thoughts instead? Later this year, Emotiv Systems Inc. plans to start selling the $299 EPOC neuroheadset to let you do just that.
The headset's sensors are designed to detect conscious thoughts and expressions as well as "non-conscious emotions" by reading electrical signals around the brain, says the company, which demonstrated the wireless gadget at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
The company, which unveiled a prototype last year, says the headset can detect emotions such as anger, excitement and tension, as well as facial expressions and cognitive actions like pushing and pulling objects.
The headset will be sold with a game developed by Emotiv, but it can also be made to work with existing PC games, the company said. Users will also be able to access an online portal to play more games, chat or upload their own content such as music or photos.
Emotiv plans to work with IBM Corp. to explore applications beyond video gaming. The "brain computer interface" technology could transform not only gaming, but how humans and computers interact, said Paul Ledak, vice president of IBM's Digital Convergence business.
Source: AP News
Hands cramping up from too many video games?
How about controlling games with your thoughts instead? Later this year, Emotiv Systems Inc. plans to start selling the $299 EPOC neuroheadset to let you do just that.
The headset's sensors are designed to detect conscious thoughts and expressions as well as "non-conscious emotions" by reading electrical signals around the brain, says the company, which demonstrated the wireless gadget at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
The company, which unveiled a prototype last year, says the headset can detect emotions such as anger, excitement and tension, as well as facial expressions and cognitive actions like pushing and pulling objects.
The headset will be sold with a game developed by Emotiv, but it can also be made to work with existing PC games, the company said. Users will also be able to access an online portal to play more games, chat or upload their own content such as music or photos.
Emotiv plans to work with IBM Corp. to explore applications beyond video gaming. The "brain computer interface" technology could transform not only gaming, but how humans and computers interact, said Paul Ledak, vice president of IBM's Digital Convergence business.
Source: AP News
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Taiwan market: Handset sales reportedly total 7.42 million units in 2007
19 February 2008
Sales volumes of handsets in Taiwan totaled 7.42 million units in 2007, up 7.5% from a year earlier, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times, which cited data from Taiwan retail channels.
Handset sales in Taiwan are expected to top 7.5 million units in 2008, with 6.6-6.8 million units to accounted for by six major telecom service providers, the paper quoted sources in the channels as indicating.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) will top the purchasing list with a projected volume of 2.4-2.5 million units, followed by Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) with 1.2-1.3 million units, Taiwan Mobile with 1.2 million units, Asia Pacific Broadband Telecom (APBT) with 1.0 million units, Vibo Telecom with 500,000 units and First International Telecom (Fitel) with 300,000 units, the paper said.
Sales volumes of handsets in Taiwan totaled 7.42 million units in 2007, up 7.5% from a year earlier, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times, which cited data from Taiwan retail channels.
Handset sales in Taiwan are expected to top 7.5 million units in 2008, with 6.6-6.8 million units to accounted for by six major telecom service providers, the paper quoted sources in the channels as indicating.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) will top the purchasing list with a projected volume of 2.4-2.5 million units, followed by Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) with 1.2-1.3 million units, Taiwan Mobile with 1.2 million units, Asia Pacific Broadband Telecom (APBT) with 1.0 million units, Vibo Telecom with 500,000 units and First International Telecom (Fitel) with 300,000 units, the paper said.
Number of Taiwan mobile phone subscribers tops 24 million in 2007
19 February 2008
Taiwan had 24.282 million subscribers of mobile communication services at the end of 2007, according to statistics published by Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC). The total number of subscribers consisted of 15.907 million for 2G services, 6.915 million for 3G and 1.46 million for low-power PHS (personal handy-phone system).
The total number of 2G subscribers in Taiwan reached a peak of 25.29 million at the end of August 2003 and then has steadily decreased mainly due to a shift from 2G to 3G services, the NCC pointed out. In 2007, the number of 3G subscribers increased by a monthly average of 290,000, NCC noted.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), the largest operator of both 2G and 3G services, expects the number of its 3G subscribers to rise from 2.29 million at the end of 2007 to 3.50 million at the end of 2008, with about one million subscribers to come from its existing 2G users, according to the company.
Taiwan had 24.282 million subscribers of mobile communication services at the end of 2007, according to statistics published by Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC). The total number of subscribers consisted of 15.907 million for 2G services, 6.915 million for 3G and 1.46 million for low-power PHS (personal handy-phone system).
The total number of 2G subscribers in Taiwan reached a peak of 25.29 million at the end of August 2003 and then has steadily decreased mainly due to a shift from 2G to 3G services, the NCC pointed out. In 2007, the number of 3G subscribers increased by a monthly average of 290,000, NCC noted.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), the largest operator of both 2G and 3G services, expects the number of its 3G subscribers to rise from 2.29 million at the end of 2007 to 3.50 million at the end of 2008, with about one million subscribers to come from its existing 2G users, according to the company.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
China's ZTE in Cooperation Talks with Motorola
17 Feb 2008
China's ZTE is reported to be in talks with Motorola over a wider cooperation - which could presumably spark rumours about a possible merger of the two companies respective handset divisions. Speaking to Reuters, Xiong Hui, a marketing vice president for handsets said that ZTE was looking to deepen its relationship with Motorola.
"We've been keeping in touch with Motorola on a wider cooperation," Hui said through a translator in an interview with Reuters. He did not give specific details about the companies' existing ties or their future plans.
ZTE recently started selling its first handsets in the USA, and has a long term partnership for low-cost phones with Vodafone.
Motorola's handset division has been valued at between US$9-12 billion. Last week, both Samsung and LG denied being interested in taking on Motorola's handset division.
Last week though, Motorola's Chief Executive Greg Brown said at the Mobile Congress World that the company is fully committed to its handset division, so a SonyEricsson style merger with another company might be more likely.
There have also been rumours that Motorola could be in talks with Nortel on a possible merger of their respective network infrastructure divisions. Nortel's current CEO, Mike Zafirovski was Motorola's president and chief operating officer before taking over as head of the Canada-based company in November 2005.
On the web: Reuters
China's ZTE is reported to be in talks with Motorola over a wider cooperation - which could presumably spark rumours about a possible merger of the two companies respective handset divisions. Speaking to Reuters, Xiong Hui, a marketing vice president for handsets said that ZTE was looking to deepen its relationship with Motorola.
"We've been keeping in touch with Motorola on a wider cooperation," Hui said through a translator in an interview with Reuters. He did not give specific details about the companies' existing ties or their future plans.
ZTE recently started selling its first handsets in the USA, and has a long term partnership for low-cost phones with Vodafone.
Motorola's handset division has been valued at between US$9-12 billion. Last week, both Samsung and LG denied being interested in taking on Motorola's handset division.
Last week though, Motorola's Chief Executive Greg Brown said at the Mobile Congress World that the company is fully committed to its handset division, so a SonyEricsson style merger with another company might be more likely.
There have also been rumours that Motorola could be in talks with Nortel on a possible merger of their respective network infrastructure divisions. Nortel's current CEO, Mike Zafirovski was Motorola's president and chief operating officer before taking over as head of the Canada-based company in November 2005.
On the web: Reuters
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Impact of Cell Phones on Grain Markets in Africa's Niger
16 Feb 2008
A new research study by Jenny Aker, an independent PhD candidate at the University of California-Berkeley has looked at the impact of mobile phones on the prices of farm produce in the African country of Niger - which faced serious food shortages in 2005. In theory, the increasing use of mobile phones should have improved distribution efficiency and hence lower the variations in prices around the country. The study set out to see if that was the case.
With an estimated 85 percent of the population living on less than US$2 per day, Niger is the lowest-ranked country according to the United Nations' Human Development Index. The majority of the population consists of rural subsistence farmers, who depend upon rainfed agriculture as their main source of income. Grains (primarily millet and sorghum) are dietary staples, accounting for over 75 percent of food consumption. These commodities are transported from farmers to consumers through an extensive system of markets that run the length of the country, which is roughly three times the size of California.
As grain markets occur only once per week, traders have historically traveled long distances to potential sales markets to obtain information on supply, demand and prices. Between 2001 and 2006 though, cell phone service was phased in throughout Niger, providing an alternative and cheaper search technology to grain traders and other market actors.
To test the predictions of the theoretical model, the researchers use a unique market and trader dataset from Niger that combines data on prices, transport costs, rainfall and grain production with cell phone access and trader behavior. They first exploited the quasi-experimental nature of cell phone coverage to estimate the impact of the staggered introduction of information technology on market performance.
The results provide evidence that cell phones reduce grain price dispersion across markets by a minimum of 6.4 percent and reduce intra-annual price variation by 10 percent. Cell phones have a greater impact on price dispersion for market pairs that are farther away, and for those with lower road quality.
It is worth noting how important this is - as during the 2005 food crisis, areas where food was plentiful had prices some 20% lower than in famine areas, which in such a poor country had a serious impact on the ability of people in famine struck areas to afford to buy staple foods. At the time of the food crisis, only 24 percent of the markets in famine regions had cellphone coverage, as compared to 83 percent of markets in plentiful regions.
As a grain trader operating in Zinder noted, "(With a cell phone), I know the price for US$2, rather than traveling (to the market), which costs US$20."
A factor which should be noted that improved distribution results in fewer surpluses in some regions and shortages in others - which flattens the price difference between markets. So in surplus areas the price rises, and in famine areas - the price falls. This obviously benefits those in dire need in the short term, but there is also a long term economic benefit for the country as a whole as there is more price stability and that makes it easier for families and traders to plan ahead for their financial budgets.
The primary mechanism by which cell phones affect market-level outcomes appears to be a reduction in search costs, as grain traders operating in markets with cell phone coverage search over a greater number of markets and sell in more markets.
The results suggest that cell phones improved consumer and trader welfare in Niger, perhaps averting an even worse outcome during the 2005 food crisis.
A new research study by Jenny Aker, an independent PhD candidate at the University of California-Berkeley has looked at the impact of mobile phones on the prices of farm produce in the African country of Niger - which faced serious food shortages in 2005. In theory, the increasing use of mobile phones should have improved distribution efficiency and hence lower the variations in prices around the country. The study set out to see if that was the case.
With an estimated 85 percent of the population living on less than US$2 per day, Niger is the lowest-ranked country according to the United Nations' Human Development Index. The majority of the population consists of rural subsistence farmers, who depend upon rainfed agriculture as their main source of income. Grains (primarily millet and sorghum) are dietary staples, accounting for over 75 percent of food consumption. These commodities are transported from farmers to consumers through an extensive system of markets that run the length of the country, which is roughly three times the size of California.
As grain markets occur only once per week, traders have historically traveled long distances to potential sales markets to obtain information on supply, demand and prices. Between 2001 and 2006 though, cell phone service was phased in throughout Niger, providing an alternative and cheaper search technology to grain traders and other market actors.
To test the predictions of the theoretical model, the researchers use a unique market and trader dataset from Niger that combines data on prices, transport costs, rainfall and grain production with cell phone access and trader behavior. They first exploited the quasi-experimental nature of cell phone coverage to estimate the impact of the staggered introduction of information technology on market performance.
The results provide evidence that cell phones reduce grain price dispersion across markets by a minimum of 6.4 percent and reduce intra-annual price variation by 10 percent. Cell phones have a greater impact on price dispersion for market pairs that are farther away, and for those with lower road quality.
It is worth noting how important this is - as during the 2005 food crisis, areas where food was plentiful had prices some 20% lower than in famine areas, which in such a poor country had a serious impact on the ability of people in famine struck areas to afford to buy staple foods. At the time of the food crisis, only 24 percent of the markets in famine regions had cellphone coverage, as compared to 83 percent of markets in plentiful regions.
As a grain trader operating in Zinder noted, "(With a cell phone), I know the price for US$2, rather than traveling (to the market), which costs US$20."
A factor which should be noted that improved distribution results in fewer surpluses in some regions and shortages in others - which flattens the price difference between markets. So in surplus areas the price rises, and in famine areas - the price falls. This obviously benefits those in dire need in the short term, but there is also a long term economic benefit for the country as a whole as there is more price stability and that makes it easier for families and traders to plan ahead for their financial budgets.
The primary mechanism by which cell phones affect market-level outcomes appears to be a reduction in search costs, as grain traders operating in markets with cell phone coverage search over a greater number of markets and sell in more markets.
The results suggest that cell phones improved consumer and trader welfare in Niger, perhaps averting an even worse outcome during the 2005 food crisis.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
HTC lands Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 handset orders, says paper
Feb 12, 12:13
High Tech Computer (HTC) has landed an ODM order from Sony Ericsson to manufacture the company's Windows Mobile-based Xperia X1 handset
High Tech Computer (HTC) has landed an ODM order from Sony Ericsson to manufacture the company's Windows Mobile-based Xperia X1 handset
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Compal Communications voices concerns over Motorola plans to break up handset unit
4 February 2008
Taiwan-based Compal Communications, a major handset OEM maker for Motorola, is concerned that China-based consortiums may eventually take up the handset unit of Motorola after the US vendor said last week it is considering separating the money-losing unit, according to Rock Hsu, chairman of the Compal Group.
The China-based companies might switch the majority of handset orders from Motorola to OEM makers in China if they do take up Motorola's handset unit, Hsu stated.
However, Hsu reiterated that the order adjustment would take 1-2 years and therefore, the planned sale of Motorola's handset unit will not affect Compal's operations in 2008.
Asked if there is the possibility of Compal acquiring Motorola's handset unit, Hsu said the company currently does not have a base to operate a brand product and instead will continue to expand its pool OEM clients.
Taiwan-based Compal Communications, a major handset OEM maker for Motorola, is concerned that China-based consortiums may eventually take up the handset unit of Motorola after the US vendor said last week it is considering separating the money-losing unit, according to Rock Hsu, chairman of the Compal Group.
The China-based companies might switch the majority of handset orders from Motorola to OEM makers in China if they do take up Motorola's handset unit, Hsu stated.
However, Hsu reiterated that the order adjustment would take 1-2 years and therefore, the planned sale of Motorola's handset unit will not affect Compal's operations in 2008.
Asked if there is the possibility of Compal acquiring Motorola's handset unit, Hsu said the company currently does not have a base to operate a brand product and instead will continue to expand its pool OEM clients.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Giantplus seeing China white-box handset orders rebound
1 February 2008
Taiwan-based small- to medium-size LCD panel and LCM maker Giantplus Technology has seen its orders from China-based white-box handset makers rebound in January amid strong demand for the Lunar New Year holidays, according to the company.
The company revealed that nearly 80-90% of its white-box handset customers have started preparing orders and thus Giantplus expects its revenues in January to rebound to around NT$782 million (US$24.2 million), the peak level it generated in November 2007.
Commenting on the recent heavy snows in China, the Taiwan-based maker said its plant in Kunshan did see some impact, with revenues of NT$10 million affected. However, as the plant is going to be offline during the holidays, the affect will not continue, Giantplus stated.
Regarding handset panel inventory, the company stressed there are no problems, except in the 2.4- and 2.8-inch segments, for which the company is preparing more stock.
With the company recently gaining orders from Altek, Giantplus said the move can reduce its risk from paying too much concentration on handset panel development. Demand from digital cameras is the second largest application in the small- to medium size panel market and the company is positive about the market potential, Giantplus pointed out.
Taiwan-based small- to medium-size LCD panel and LCM maker Giantplus Technology has seen its orders from China-based white-box handset makers rebound in January amid strong demand for the Lunar New Year holidays, according to the company.
The company revealed that nearly 80-90% of its white-box handset customers have started preparing orders and thus Giantplus expects its revenues in January to rebound to around NT$782 million (US$24.2 million), the peak level it generated in November 2007.
Commenting on the recent heavy snows in China, the Taiwan-based maker said its plant in Kunshan did see some impact, with revenues of NT$10 million affected. However, as the plant is going to be offline during the holidays, the affect will not continue, Giantplus stated.
Regarding handset panel inventory, the company stressed there are no problems, except in the 2.4- and 2.8-inch segments, for which the company is preparing more stock.
With the company recently gaining orders from Altek, Giantplus said the move can reduce its risk from paying too much concentration on handset panel development. Demand from digital cameras is the second largest application in the small- to medium size panel market and the company is positive about the market potential, Giantplus pointed out.
Compal Communications aims to ship 60 million handsets in 2008
1 February 2008
Compal Communications expects handset shipments to grow 20-25% sequentially to 60 million units in 2008, according to company chairman Ray Chen.
Handset shipments fell sharply to 47.8 million in 2007 due to the decline in performance of Motorola, the major customer of the Taiwan company, according to market sources.
After an organizational reshuffle at its major customer, Compal's operation will gradually rebound in the second half of the year with average selling prices (ASPs) to increase between the second and the third quarters, Chen commented.
As orders are not coming as early as expected, Compal has not begun operations at its new plant in Ningbo, China. Chen noted that the company completed establishment of the plant last year, and official operations will kick off in the second half of 2008.
In response to questions relating to the possibility of setting up a plant in Vietnam, the chairman noted that Compal will not consider any such projects for at least two or three years.
Compal has formed a second business group to focus on 3G and GPS smartphones. The company will begin offering smartphones from the fourth quarter with an annual shipments target of less than one million units, Chen revealed, although shipments will jump in 2009. Compal will still make GPS-based products in the future and WCDMA and EVDO-based 3G phones, but it will focus on the smartphone market, Chen added.
Commenting on the recent heavy snows hitting China, Chen stated that shipments in January will not be affected as the company's Nanjing plant is not far away from the airport. However, Compal has strengthened its material inventory preparations in case of any potential damages. The bad weather may affect demand during the Lunar New Year in China, but this would be only a short-term impact, he added.
The chairman also noted that although the industry is pessimistic over the global economy, the company holds a different outlook, noting that some customers are even increasing orders or preparing shipments in advance due to the situation.
Compal Communications expects handset shipments to grow 20-25% sequentially to 60 million units in 2008, according to company chairman Ray Chen.
Handset shipments fell sharply to 47.8 million in 2007 due to the decline in performance of Motorola, the major customer of the Taiwan company, according to market sources.
After an organizational reshuffle at its major customer, Compal's operation will gradually rebound in the second half of the year with average selling prices (ASPs) to increase between the second and the third quarters, Chen commented.
As orders are not coming as early as expected, Compal has not begun operations at its new plant in Ningbo, China. Chen noted that the company completed establishment of the plant last year, and official operations will kick off in the second half of 2008.
In response to questions relating to the possibility of setting up a plant in Vietnam, the chairman noted that Compal will not consider any such projects for at least two or three years.
Compal has formed a second business group to focus on 3G and GPS smartphones. The company will begin offering smartphones from the fourth quarter with an annual shipments target of less than one million units, Chen revealed, although shipments will jump in 2009. Compal will still make GPS-based products in the future and WCDMA and EVDO-based 3G phones, but it will focus on the smartphone market, Chen added.
Commenting on the recent heavy snows hitting China, Chen stated that shipments in January will not be affected as the company's Nanjing plant is not far away from the airport. However, Compal has strengthened its material inventory preparations in case of any potential damages. The bad weather may affect demand during the Lunar New Year in China, but this would be only a short-term impact, he added.
The chairman also noted that although the industry is pessimistic over the global economy, the company holds a different outlook, noting that some customers are even increasing orders or preparing shipments in advance due to the situation.
China mobile phone user base tops 547 million in December 2007
1 February 2008
There were 547.29 million subscribers of mobile communication services in China as of the end of December 2007, growing by 1.47% on month and by 18.70% on year, according to statistics published by China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) on January 31.
The number of subscribers at the end of December accounted for 41.6% of the country's population.
Also at the end of December 2007 there were 365.45 million subscribers of fixed telecommunication networks in China.
In December 2007, mobile phone subscribers in China sent 57.02 billion text messages, averaging 3.39 text messages per phone number a day.
There were 547.29 million subscribers of mobile communication services in China as of the end of December 2007, growing by 1.47% on month and by 18.70% on year, according to statistics published by China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) on January 31.
The number of subscribers at the end of December accounted for 41.6% of the country's population.
Also at the end of December 2007 there were 365.45 million subscribers of fixed telecommunication networks in China.
In December 2007, mobile phone subscribers in China sent 57.02 billion text messages, averaging 3.39 text messages per phone number a day.
China market: Nearly 40 million GSM and CDMA handsets sold in 4Q07
1 February 2008
There were 39.96 million GSM and CDMA handsets sold in China in the fourth quarter of 2007, with Nokia, Samsung and Motorola being the top three vendors with a combined market share of 60.2%, according to China-based consulting company Analysys International.
For CDMA models alone, Samsung and China-based Huawei Technologies were the top two vendors with market shares of 25.1% and 24.7%, respectively, last quarter, Analysys indicated.
The total sales volume in 2007 stood at 149.13 million handsets, rising by 64.5% from 2006 and consisting of 139.05 million GSM phones and 10.08 million CDMA phones.
There were 39.96 million GSM and CDMA handsets sold in China in the fourth quarter of 2007, with Nokia, Samsung and Motorola being the top three vendors with a combined market share of 60.2%, according to China-based consulting company Analysys International.
For CDMA models alone, Samsung and China-based Huawei Technologies were the top two vendors with market shares of 25.1% and 24.7%, respectively, last quarter, Analysys indicated.
The total sales volume in 2007 stood at 149.13 million handsets, rising by 64.5% from 2006 and consisting of 139.05 million GSM phones and 10.08 million CDMA phones.
Mio announces partnership with Qualcomm to develop connected PNDs
1 February 2008
Mio Technology has announced the forming of a partnership with Qualcomm to develop connected PND products. These new devices will leverage Qualcomm's QST1100 chipset to deliver industry-leading GPS performance and cellular connectivity for real-time traffic updates, voice call capabilities and more, stated Mio.
With the new strategic partnership, Mio looks to offer consumers a next generation GPS device that goes beyond traditional A to B navigation, the company said. With real-time content, search capabilities and more, Mio's connected PNDs will provide a uniquely dynamic navigation experience that can be customized for any lifestyle.
Qualcomm's QST1100 chipset is the first solution to integrate application processing, GPS and cellular connectivity into a single chip for ubiquitous connectivity and sleeker form-factors, highlighted the company. The QST1100 chipset leverages Qualcomm's gpsOne technology that supports several modes of operation including: Assisted-GPS and Standalone-GPS as well as gpsOneXTRA Assistance technology for enhanced Standalone-GPS performance. Currently, more than 300 million devices around the world leverage gpsOne technology for accurate, ubiquitous positioning capabilities, the company claimed.
Mio Technology has announced the forming of a partnership with Qualcomm to develop connected PND products. These new devices will leverage Qualcomm's QST1100 chipset to deliver industry-leading GPS performance and cellular connectivity for real-time traffic updates, voice call capabilities and more, stated Mio.
With the new strategic partnership, Mio looks to offer consumers a next generation GPS device that goes beyond traditional A to B navigation, the company said. With real-time content, search capabilities and more, Mio's connected PNDs will provide a uniquely dynamic navigation experience that can be customized for any lifestyle.
Qualcomm's QST1100 chipset is the first solution to integrate application processing, GPS and cellular connectivity into a single chip for ubiquitous connectivity and sleeker form-factors, highlighted the company. The QST1100 chipset leverages Qualcomm's gpsOne technology that supports several modes of operation including: Assisted-GPS and Standalone-GPS as well as gpsOneXTRA Assistance technology for enhanced Standalone-GPS performance. Currently, more than 300 million devices around the world leverage gpsOne technology for accurate, ubiquitous positioning capabilities, the company claimed.
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