In August 2023, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) announced a partnership with Japan’s SBI to build a chipmaking plant in Japan. However, the plan was halted last Friday, with reports suggesting that PSMC’s declining financial performance may be the cause. PSMC has denied these claims, stating that the decision to terminate the collaboration is unrelated to its financial situation.
PSMC explained that its collaboration with SBI was structured around the Fab IP model, which involves offering consulting services, personnel training, and technology transfer in exchange for service fees and royalties. The company does not plan to invest in or oversee the operations of the new factory. After the board confirmed the termination of the partnership, PSMC dispatched representatives to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to clarify the situation and has informed SBI Holdings of the decision.
Reports indicate that PSMC opted not to assume the risks tied to the project, resulting in the dissolution of their partnership to build the facility in Miyagi Prefecture. This plant was projected to start mass production by 2027, specialising in automotive semiconductors with an estimated investment of ¥800 billion. Despite these challenges, SBI intends to proceed with the project by searching for new partners.
Notably, this decision comes after PSMC recently announced its intention to supply technology for a new chip plant in India, in partnership with Tata Group. The company has signed an agreement to assist in constructing India’s first 12-inch wafer fab in Dholera, Gujarat, which will employ mature process technologies and provide training for local workers. This USD 11 billion facility is expected to have a monthly capacity of 50,000 wafers and create over 20,000 high-tech jobs in the region.
The Philippines is actively pursuing public-private partnerships (PPPs) to enhance connectivity for millions of Filipinos in remote areas. Globe Telecom, along with other industry players, is leading efforts to construct new cell towers, with the initial phase focused on building 1,500 towers across major telecommunications providers like Globe, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecommunity.
That initiative highlights the country’s commitment to improving digital connectivity. Globe’s CEO, Ernest Cu, emphasises the importance of collaboration between the telecommunications industry and the government to tackle infrastructure challenges. Consequently, investments in network infrastructure are expected to boost access to digital services and create economic opportunities.
To facilitate the project, the task force has called for legislative reforms to simplify the permit process and ensure a stable power supply for cell towers. Nevertheless, with over 26% of Filipinos still offline as of early 2024, there is an urgent need to bridge the digital divide and foster a more inclusive digital economy.
The Egyptian Postal Service is implementing a comprehensive development plan to enhance its services and modernise its infrastructure. That initiative not only reflects a significant commitment to improving accessibility and efficiency but also addresses the evolving needs of the population.
For instance, the increase in the number of post offices in Egypt from 3,600 in 2018 to 4,850 today demonstrates this dedication. By equipping these facilities with the latest technological solutions, the postal service aims to meet the growing demands of the digital age and provide an improved customer experience. Ultimately, this modernisation will streamline operations and ensure citizens can easily access essential services in a rapidly changing environment.
Moreover, the Egyptian Postal Service is crucial to the government’s broader efforts to modernise the economy. Ahmed Badawy, the Communications and Information Technology Committee Chairperson has highlighted the importance of collaboration between the committee, the ministry, and its affiliated bodies. That partnership is essential for successfully implementing initiatives that enhance the capabilities of the postal service and related sectors.
Furthermore, the postal service is a key player in attracting investments in communications and IT, particularly in mobile phone manufacturing. By expanding programs focused on applied technology schools, the ministry is equipping future generations with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape and fostering innovation and growth in the industry.
India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will establish a digital payments system for Trinidad and Tobago, replicating its successful United Payments Interface (UPI). NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the overseas arm of NPCI, will collaborate with the Ministry of Digital Transformation in Trinidad and Tobago to create a platform that supports both person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions.
NPCI, a public non-profit entity under India’s central bank, manages India’s retail payment systems, with UPI being the most widely used mode for digital payments in the country. The initiative in Trinidad and Tobago follows similar agreements made earlier this year by NIPL to develop digital payment systems in Peru and Namibia, using UPI as a template.
NIPL was created to promote the global adoption of India’s digital payment solutions. Discussions are also underway with several African and South American countries to assist in building their payment infrastructures, according to recent reports.
These efforts align with NPCI’s broader goal of expanding the reach of India‘s payment systems, driving the digital transformation of global payment ecosystems.
Manchester has officially opened the first phase of a £1.7 billion ($2.3 billion) hub designed for science and technology companies. This initiative called the ‘Sister’ innovation district, is located on the University of Manchester’s former North Campus and aims to provide 2 million square feet of commercial space along with 1,500 new homes, enhancing the city’s reputation as a science and tech centre.
The Sister project is a collaboration between the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, alongside Legal and General and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. Over 15 years, it has sought to attract private investment to improve public services and infrastructure in the UK. The first tenant, Sustainable Ventures, a climate tech investment firm, will move into the Renold Building in November.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, described the opening as a significant moment for the city. The Sister district is included in the government-funded Greater Manchester Investment Zone, which allocates £160 million in public funds to attract businesses over the next decade. Plans for the first major development zone within Sister are expected to be announced soon.
Philippines is embarking on a three-year network infrastructure plan to enhance connectivity for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by 2028. That initiative, presented by telecommunications providers, aims to construct new communication towers while maximising the use of existing infrastructure.
By addressing the connectivity gap in the country, the plan ensures that remote communities can access essential services such as education, healthcare, and government support, thereby promoting inclusivity and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Furthermore, this commitment to improving connectivity aligns with President Marcos’ pledge to bring telecom services to underserved areas.
The current plan includes subsidised SIM cards with data plans to unconnected households, ensuring families have the necessary tools to connect to the internet and mobile services. As of 2024, Globe has already established over 600 operational cell sites in GIDAs, marking a significant step toward making essential communication services accessible to remote communities.
Moreover, Philippines recognises the need for optimised network coverage and advocates for critical legislative support to streamline the permitting process for new cell sites. Ensuring a consistent power supply for telecommunications towers and rationalising spectrum user fees are essential to this strategy.
Why does this matter?
The country aims to create a conducive environment for rapid infrastructure expansion by addressing these regulatory challenges. Consequently, through these efforts, Philippines is working towards a ‘Digital Philippines,’ where all citizens can access vital communication services that improve their lives regardless of their geographical location.
Arm Holdings recently inquired about purchasing Intel Corp.’s product division, which focuses on chips for personal computers and servers. However, Intel informed Arm that the division is not for sale, as confirmed by a source familiar with the discussions. This comes amid ongoing struggles for Intel, which has seen a significant decline in its business, prompting speculation about potential acquisitions and significant layoffs.
Intel is grappling with significant financial difficulties, highlighted by a disappointing earnings report that led to a notable decline in its stock price. In reaction, the company plans to lay off 15,000 employees and reduce its factory expansion initiatives while exploring a potential restructuring that could result in a division of its operations. Meanwhile, Arm, traditionally recognised for its smartphone chip designs, aims to broaden its presence in the personal computer and server markets to strengthen its competitive position against Intel.
With a valuation surpassing $156 billion, Arm is viewed as a beneficiary of the growing AI sector and has the financial backing of Japan’s SoftBank. In contrast, Intel’s market capitalisation has fallen to approximately $102.3 billion this year. Meanwhile, the company is exploring other investment opportunities, including a $5 billion offer from Apollo Global Management and plans to divest part of its stake in Altera Corp., further indicating its intent to stabilise and restructure its operations.
Samsung has officially launched its AI-ready Galaxy Tab S10 series, featuring the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S10+. Built to support artificial intelligence, both models are powered by the advanced MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processors. This new chipset significantly boosts performance across CPU, GPU, and NPU, delivering faster AI features for users.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra boasts a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the S10+ comes with a slightly smaller 12.4-inch version. Alongside these high-resolution screens, both tablets include the S Pen and a Book Cover Keyboard accessory with a dedicated Galaxy AI key. These additions provide users with streamlined AI interactions and allow for enhanced note-taking, image creation, and translation features.
Samsung also introduces several AI tools, such as the PDF Overlay Translation and Handwriting Help, aimed at making productivity tasks easier. The Sketch to Image function, previously seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, is now available on these tablets, enabling the conversion of rough drawings into polished images with the help of AI.
The Galaxy Tab S10 series integrates seamlessly with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, offering users a 3D Map View to manage their connected devices. Both tablets are durable, water-resistant with IP68 certification, and come with fast-charging capabilities, making them versatile tools for both work and home.
The FCC has made a pivotal move to enhance broadband services across the United States by allocating additional spectrum in the 17.3-17.7 GHz band to non-geostationary satellite operators (NGSO), including notable providers like Starlink. The decision is designed to improve broadband speeds and increase accessibility, particularly for fixed-satellite services (FSS) directed toward stationary points on Earth, such as residential antennas.
Importantly, NGSO operators will share this newly allocated 1,300 megahertz of spectrum with geostationary satellite (GEO) operators. However, they must adhere to strict power limits and conditions to minimise interference.
Moreover, the FCC has emphasised that this spectrum allocation is part of a broader strategy to promote spectrum efficiency, stimulate competition, and expand high-speed internet access, especially in underserved and unserved communities. Consequently, this initiative seeks to drive innovation and facilitate deploying advanced services in areas lacking robust traditional internet infrastructure, effectively bridging the digital divide.
In response to concerns raised by geostationary satellite operators like EchoStar and DirectTV, who argued that NGSO operators should only have secondary access to prevent potential interference, the FCC determined that both NGSO and GEO operators would share the 17 GHz spectrum on a co-primary basis. However, it is worth noting that NGSO downlinks in the 17.7-17.8 GHz band will be afforded different interference protection from terrestrial services.
Alphabet plans to invest $3.3 billion in South Carolina to establish two new data centres, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. This investment comes as the Google parent company and its competitors significantly enhance their infrastructure to support the growth of AI applications. The new data centre campuses will be located in Dorchester County, alongside an expansion of an existing facility in Berkeley County, as confirmed by the South Carolina governor’s office.
The new facilities in Dorchester County, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, represent a $2 billion investment and are anticipated to create 200 operational jobs. Additionally, the expansion in Berkeley County will require another $1.3 billion investment. In July, Alphabet reported capital expenditures of $13 billion for the June quarter and indicated that spending would remain at or above $12 billion for the rest of 2024.
This announcement comes on the heels of Microsoft’s recent partnership with BlackRock and the Abu Dhabi-backed investment firm MGX to establish a fund exceeding $30 billion, focused on developing AI infrastructure, including the construction of data centres and energy projects.
