Telecommunications infrastructure

South Korea launches $34 billion fund for strategic industries

South Korea has announced the creation of a $34 billion policy fund to support companies in key industries such as semiconductors, automotive, and advanced technologies, in response to growing global competition and protectionist policies.

The state-run Korea Development Bank will manage the fund by providing low-interest loans and other financial support over the next five years to businesses involved in national strategic industries.

The government stressed that maintaining competitiveness in these strategic sectors has become crucial to the country’s economic security, particularly amid the uncertainties caused by the new US administration.

South Korea has identified 12 industries, including semiconductors, AI, and biopharmaceuticals, as critical for its future economic stability and will offer targeted financial support to strengthen these sectors.

In addition to the fund, South Korea also unveiled new policies to attract skilled global talent in cutting-edge fields. These measures include offering top-tier visas and permanent residency to professionals with experience at major international firms, aiming to enhance the country’s workforce in strategic industries.

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Vietnam eyes Starlink licence while addressing US trade tensions

Vietnam‘s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed officials to fast-track approval for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service under a pilot programme.

Speaking to US business representatives in Hanoi, Chinh highlighted the country’s commitment to attracting foreign investment while maintaining control over key sectors. Vietnam recently adjusted its regulations to allow satellite internet providers to operate locally under strict government oversight.

Alongside discussions on Starlink, Chinh addressed Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the United States.

The Southeast Asian nation, which recorded a record trade surplus last year, is under pressure to increase imports of American goods such as aircraft, arms, liquefied natural gas, and pharmaceuticals. By doing so, Vietnam hopes to avoid potential tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.

Vietnamese officials are engaging in talks with US businesses and foreign investors to ease concerns over trade tensions and their impact on the country’s export-driven economy.

Further meetings with international companies are planned as the government works to strengthen economic ties while managing geopolitical challenges.

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China moves to promote RISC-V chip use nationwide

China is set to release new guidance aimed at promoting the use of open-source RISC-V chips nationwide, a move that signals the country’s growing efforts to reduce its reliance on Western technology. The policy, which could be unveiled as early as this month, is being developed by several government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The final release date remains uncertain as discussions continue.

RISC-V, an open-source chip design technology, has gained popularity in China, particularly among state entities and research institutes, due to its lower cost and geopolitical neutrality. It is seen as a viable alternative to more established, proprietary chip architectures, such as those from Intel and AMD, and is gaining traction in various industries, including AI and mobile technology. This shift has raised concerns in the United States, where lawmakers are wary that China may be leveraging RISC-V’s open-source nature to boost its semiconductor sector.

The growing adoption of RISC-V has sparked a positive movement in the Chinese stock market, with shares of local chip design firms such as VeriSilicon and ASR Microelectronics experiencing significant gains. Industry leaders point out that RISC-V’s potential to reduce costs for smaller companies looking to implement AI, particularly with the rise of technologies like DeepSeek, could further drive its adoption.

As tensions between the US and China over technology intensify, the development of China’s semiconductor industry using RISC-V may become a critical aspect of its strategy to become less dependent on foreign chipmakers, while also advancing its own technological ambitions.

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Microsoft retires Skype, focuses on Teams

Skype, the pioneering internet calling service that revolutionised communication in the early 2000s, will make its final call on May 5, as Microsoft retires the platform after two decades.

This move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to concentrate on its Teams service, which has become central to its business communication offerings, particularly since the pandemic.

Despite its early success and a peak of hundreds of millions of users, Skype struggled to compete with newer services like Zoom and Slack.

The platform’s decline was partly due to its inability to adapt to the mobile era, while Microsoft’s Teams has successfully integrated with Office applications, securing its position in the corporate sector.

Microsoft has assured Skype users that they will be able to transition smoothly to Teams, with their contacts and chats migrating automatically. While Skype had once been a major player, its decline mirrors other Microsoft missteps, such as its failed ventures with Internet Explorer and Windows Phone.

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DeepSeek highlights China’s rise in AI, Lou Qinjian says

DeepSeek’s progress is a clear sign of the growing influence of Chinese companies in the AI sector, according to a spokesperson for China’s parliament. Lou Qinjian, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, praised the achievements of DeepSeek’s young team, describing their work as ‘commendable’.

He highlighted the company’s open-source approach and its efforts to spread AI technology globally, contributing ‘Chinese wisdom’ to the world.

The AI startup has been widely celebrated in China, particularly for rolling out AI models that offer a significantly lower cost than those developed by US rivals like OpenAI.

While some countries, including South Korea and Italy, have removed DeepSeek’s chatbot from their app stores over privacy concerns, it has been embraced within China, where local governments and tech firms are integrating it into their systems.

Based in Hangzhou, DeepSeek is rapidly advancing its next-generation model, set to succeed its R1 release from January, as it continues to make waves in the global tech sector.

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Musk under scrutiny over $2.4 billion FAA telecom contract

A group of US lawmakers is raising concerns over the potential involvement of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in a $2.4 billion Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) telecommunications contract originally awarded to Verizon.

Musk, who owns satellite company Starlink, has been critical of the FAA’s existing telecom system and has reportedly sought to replace Verizon’s contract with his own company’s services.

Senator Maria Cantwell and other lawmakers have expressed alarm over what they see as potential interference in a competitive bidding process. The FAA, which awarded the 15-year contract to Verizon in 2023, is now reportedly reviewing the agreement.

Musk recently admitted to making false claims about Verizon’s role in aviation safety, further fuelling concerns about his influence.

The controversy has led to bipartisan scrutiny, with senators and representatives questioning whether the government is prioritising private interests over public safety. The FAA, meanwhile, has stated it has not yet made any decision regarding the contract.

Reports indicate that Starlink terminals are being tested in Alaska, raising further speculation about Musk’s involvement in the project.

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A significant boost in Windows performance could come with Qualcomm’s latest chip

Qualcomm is reportedly developing the Snapdragon X2, a next-generation high-end processor for Windows PCs. Leaks suggest the new chip could feature up to 18 Oryon V3 cores, potentially boosting performance significantly.

The Snapdragon X2 is expected to adopt a system-in-package (SiP) design, integrating RAM and flash storage within the processor to enhance efficiency and data transfer speeds.

The processor is said to support configurations of up to 48GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, according to leaked documents. While specific clock speeds remain unknown, it is described as a high-TDP variant, indicating a focus on raw power.

Qualcomm is also reportedly testing the chip with a liquid cooling system, suggesting efforts to manage heat output in high-performance environments.

Branding for the processor is expected under the ‘Snapdragon X2 Ultra Premium’ label, with a focus on competing against Intel, AMD, and Apple’s M-series chips.

Qualcomm previously confirmed its next PC processor, the Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2, would include the Oryon V3 CPU, following the success of its predecessor, the Oryon V2.

The Snapdragon X2 could improve the Windows on ARM ecosystem, offering better efficiency and performance. However, software compatibility challenges remain a key concern, as ARM-based Windows devices have previously struggled with certain applications.

Official details from Qualcomm are still pending, with more information possibly emerging at industry events such as Mobile World Congress.

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Samsung unveils new Galaxy A-series models with AI features and enhanced photography capabilities

Samsung has unveiled its latest Galaxy A-series lineup, introducing the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26, packed with new AI-powered features. One of the standout additions is the ‘awesome intelligence’ suite, which brings advanced image editing capabilities.

Among these features is Best Face, allowing users to swap facial expressions in group photos — similar to Google Pixel’s Best Take. These tools, first seen in the Galaxy S25, aim to simplify capturing and editing moments.

The Galaxy A56 has performance upgrades, including an Exynos 1580 chip and a larger vapour chamber for better cooling. It features a 6.7-inch full HD Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP macro lens. Priced at $499, the A56 is set to launch in the US later this year, while the A36 and A26 will hit shelves in late March, costing $399 and $299, respectively.

Buyers in the UK can get their hands on the new devices starting 19 March, with prices beginning at €299 for the Galaxy A26. The series also promises long-term value, offering up to six years of Android OS and security updates, plus IP67 dust and water resistance on the A26, making these phones a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for modern features.

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Honor to expand into AI-powered devices with $10 billion plan

Chinese smartphone maker Honor plans to invest $10 billion over the next five years to develop AI for its devices as it prepares for a public listing. CEO James Li revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company aims to expand beyond smartphones into AI-powered PCs, tablets, and wearables.

Honor’s push into AI comes after completing a shareholder restructuring in December, bringing it closer to an initial public offering, though no timeline has been set. The announcement also aligns with a surge in AI investment in China, driven by the popularity of DeepSeek’s affordable language models.

While Honor’s market share in China slipped from second to fourth place last year, it has gained significant support from the Shenzhen government, including R&D funding and tax breaks. The company is also focusing on expanding internationally as it strengthens its AI capabilities.

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TikTok to invest $8.8 billion in Thailand data centres

TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by ByteDance, has unveiled plans to invest $8.8 billion in building data centres in Thailand over the next five years. The announcement was made by Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President of Public Policy, during an event held in Bangkok on Friday. This investment marks a significant move as the company continues to expand its operations in the region.

The specific details of the investment remain unclear, particularly whether it includes a $3.8 billion agreement that was announced by Thailand’s investment board last month. The government’s investment board had previously detailed a deal aimed at boosting digital infrastructure in the country, but TikTok did not provide further clarification on the connection between the two.

This move highlights TikTok’s growing commitment to the Thai market and its broader strategy of increasing local data storage capabilities. As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its global presence, the company is investing in infrastructure to better serve its user base and meet regulatory requirements in key markets.

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