March 20, 2008
Handset manufacturers based in Taiwan are expecting to receive an increased number of smartphone orders from international vendors who are attempting to break into the smartphone market segment. Taiwan-based manufacturers are likely to be competing for orders from leading vendors, including Sony Ericsson, LG Electronics and Motorola. Until now, smartphone orders have largely come from IT vendors, including Palm and Hewlett-Packard (HP), ...
Handset makers in Taiwan anticipate smartphone orders from top brands
by David MastersHandset manufacturers based in Taiwan are expecting to receive an increased number of smartphone orders from international vendors who are attempting to break into the smartphone market segment. Taiwan-based manufacturers are likely to be competing for orders from leading vendors, including Sony Ericsson, LG Electronics and Motorola. Until now, smartphone orders have largely come from IT vendors, including Palm and Hewlett-Packard (HP), ...
Arima’s new factory opening is immanent
by David MastersArima Communications have announced that their new handset factory in Wujiang, China will begin commercial production operations by the end of this month. The capacity of the plant will be between 1.2 and 1.7 million units per month. The new factory will be producing handsets for LG Electronics, Sony Ericsson and Sharp, whilst the existing factory in Yingko, Taiwan, will ...
March 17, 2008
New Century InfoComm Tech (Sparq), Far Eastone Telecommunications (FET), and Digital United, which operates SeedNet, the second largest ISP in Taiwan, have teamed up and are planning to integrate their operating resources to become the Far Eastern Telecom Group (FETG). Each company will maintain their individual corporate status, but it is hoped that the integration will enhance each of ...
Sparq, FET and SeedNet to join forces
by David MastersNew Century InfoComm Tech (Sparq), Far Eastone Telecommunications (FET), and Digital United, which operates SeedNet, the second largest ISP in Taiwan, have teamed up and are planning to integrate their operating resources to become the Far Eastern Telecom Group (FETG). Each company will maintain their individual corporate status, but it is hoped that the integration will enhance each of ...
March 14, 2008
Mobile operator, Orange, has extended its Business Everywhere mobile broadband package, offering business users who sign up to a 24 month contract, unlimited 3G access for £17 per month. As usual, there is a cap on the 'unlimited' usage - in this case it means a maximum download limit of 3GB per month under Orange's Fair Usage policy. Orange is ...
Orange upgrades “Business Everywhere” mobile broadband offering
by Jan HarrisMobile operator, Orange, has extended its Business Everywhere mobile broadband package, offering business users who sign up to a 24 month contract, unlimited 3G access for £17 per month. As usual, there is a cap on the 'unlimited' usage - in this case it means a maximum download limit of 3GB per month under Orange's Fair Usage policy. Orange is ...
AOL acquires social networking site Bebo
by Lin FreestoneAOL, the global internet company, is to acquire social networking site, Bebo, for $850m. Bebo is one of the most popular social networking sites in the world with a total estimated membership of more than 40 million people. Bebo is seen as the perfect complement to AOL's personal communications network. Its technology appeals to AOL as its developer platform supports ...
March 13, 2008
TalkTalk have taken the respectable decision to only pass on your browsing behavior to Phorm if you opt in to their system. As opposed to using the formerly mentioned technique of opting out based on a cookie on your computer that identifies you as an opt-out, TalkTalk will employ a different system that will indicate customers will have no contact ...
TalkTalk make Phorm optional
by Dave NixonTalkTalk have taken the respectable decision to only pass on your browsing behavior to Phorm if you opt in to their system. As opposed to using the formerly mentioned technique of opting out based on a cookie on your computer that identifies you as an opt-out, TalkTalk will employ a different system that will indicate customers will have no contact ...
March 11, 2008
Hong Kong-based Delta Networks, a subsidiary of Delta Electronics, is planning to continue its current growth into the future through a number of acquisitions. The company is currently carrying out a feasibility study into the acquisition plans. According to Delta's chairman and CEO, Sam Liang, the company is planning to target Taiwan-based network equipment manufacturers, as well as other start ...
Delta Networks planning a series of acquisitions
by David MastersHong Kong-based Delta Networks, a subsidiary of Delta Electronics, is planning to continue its current growth into the future through a number of acquisitions. The company is currently carrying out a feasibility study into the acquisition plans. According to Delta's chairman and CEO, Sam Liang, the company is planning to target Taiwan-based network equipment manufacturers, as well as other start ...
March 10, 2008
Virgin Media was the best performing, fast-connection broadband provider, according to figures released by BroadbandChoices.co.uk The new research found that Virgin Media offers an average broadband speed of 11Mbps, and that customers generally received 55.1 per cent of their promised speed. Be Broadband, which offers 20.9 Mbps, the fastest service currently available, was placed behind Virgin Media because Be Broadband's average ...
Virgin Media is best performing provider of fast broadband
by Jan HarrisVirgin Media was the best performing, fast-connection broadband provider, according to figures released by BroadbandChoices.co.uk The new research found that Virgin Media offers an average broadband speed of 11Mbps, and that customers generally received 55.1 per cent of their promised speed. Be Broadband, which offers 20.9 Mbps, the fastest service currently available, was placed behind Virgin Media because Be Broadband's average ...
HTC revenues for early 2008 up 50% compared to early 2007
by David MastersHigh Tech Computer (HTC) has reported February revenues of NT$9.63 billion (US$313.7 million). This represents a 19.9% decrease compared to the previous month, but a 45.9% increase compared to February 2007. These results conform with market conditions and expectations. HTC's total revenue for 2008 now stands at NT$21.66 billion, a 49.4% increase compared to the first two months of ...
Taiwan’s makers of handset accessories all post on-year growth for February
by David MastersThe majority of Taiwan's manufacturers of handset components saw revenues for February that were up on year, but down on month. This was expected because of seasonal factors. Makers who conformed to this trend include Merry Electronics, who make headsets, Silitech Technology, who make keypads and cases, and Ichia Technology, who make keypads and flexible PCBs. All three companies are expecting ...
Mixed early 2008 for Taiwan’s phone makers
by David MastersTaiwan's two leading original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of mobile phones, Compal Communications and Arima Communications, have reported contrasting results for February. Arima's revenues for the month saw a 41.2% increase compared to February 2007. Compal's revenues, on the other hand, dropped by 30.8% compared to February 2007. February 2008 revenues for Arima totalled NT$1.2 billion (US$39.1 million), a 7.1% ...
March 7, 2008
AOL has launched a broadband service with no minimum term contract - the Broadband Wireless Flexi package. The package costs from £14.99 a month for a 10GB download allowance and a free wireless router worth £50. It provides a download speed of up to 8Mbps. There is a connection fee of £49.99, but customers can leave the service whenever they ...
AOL offers broadband with no contract tie-in
by Jan HarrisAOL has launched a broadband service with no minimum term contract - the Broadband Wireless Flexi package. The package costs from £14.99 a month for a 10GB download allowance and a free wireless router worth £50. It provides a download speed of up to 8Mbps. There is a connection fee of £49.99, but customers can leave the service whenever they ...
Acquisition will improve online services of France Telecom
by Lin FreestoneAs part of its ongoing strategy to develop its online presence, France Telecom is to acquire Cityvox. The acquisition will consolidate the company’s current position in France as number three for audience and number one for advertising on the web. Cityvox is a leading internet media group in France, and a specialist in online outings and leisure news. The sites ...
Synnex estimates February results up 18% on year
by David MastersTaiwan's biggest distributor of consumer electronics, communications technology and computers, Synnex Technology International, has announced its estimated results for February. Synnex's estimated consolidated revenues for the month total NT$12.66 billion (US$412 million). This represents an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2007. The company's consolidated revenues for January-February total NT$23.3 billion. This is a 29.6% increase ...
NT$4 billion in losses for CHT due to poorly timed contract
by David MastersChunghwa Telecom (CHT) have reported in a press release that the company has lost a total of NT$4.0 billion (US$129 million) because of a 10 year foreign exchange derivative contract that was signed with international investment bank Goldman Sachs last year. Foreign exchange derivative contracts are designed to protect against exchange rate fluctuations. The contract was signed because CHT ...
March 6, 2008
India’s mobile telephony industry is growing even faster than the mobile industry in China. Five years’ ago there were 13.8 million subscribers in India. At the beginning of 2008 there were 242 million. It is estimated that, by 2012, India will have 490 million mobile subscribers. In contrast, broadband penetration in the country is low, with 3.24 million subscribers. One of the ...
242 million mobile subscribers in India
by Lin FreestoneIndia’s mobile telephony industry is growing even faster than the mobile industry in China. Five years’ ago there were 13.8 million subscribers in India. At the beginning of 2008 there were 242 million. It is estimated that, by 2012, India will have 490 million mobile subscribers. In contrast, broadband penetration in the country is low, with 3.24 million subscribers. One of the ...
GN Netcom moves headset production to Canada
by David MastersGN Netcom, the vendor of Jabra-branded Bluetooth headsets, has awarded the contract for the production of Bluetooth headsets to Canada-based firm Celestica, who outbid a number of competitors including Taiwan-based Foxconn Electronics. The contract between GN and Celestica subcontracts the majority of GN's production to the Canadian company. GN has suspended operations of its own plant in Xiamen, China. The plant ...
March 5, 2008
Compal Communications have reported 2007 after-tax profits of NT$3.96 billion (US$127.3 million) on revenues of NT$48.74 billion. This is equivalent to NT$7.05 per share. The company will be giving out dividends of $4.5 per share, made up of NT$4 in cash and NT$0.5 in shares. Employees of Compal will receive between them a total 2007 bonus of NT$69.8 million ...
2007 profits of NT$4 billion for Compal
by David MastersCompal Communications have reported 2007 after-tax profits of NT$3.96 billion (US$127.3 million) on revenues of NT$48.74 billion. This is equivalent to NT$7.05 per share. The company will be giving out dividends of $4.5 per share, made up of NT$4 in cash and NT$0.5 in shares. Employees of Compal will receive between them a total 2007 bonus of NT$69.8 million ...
Falling exchange rates hit Taiwan-based manufacturers
by David MastersInternet communication device makers in Taiwan are expecting revenue falls of 1-3% due to the exchange rate of NT$ to US$ increasing to $30.95. The impact of the rise on profits is not yet clear. According to D-Link, every one cent increase in the rate of NT dollars leads to a 0.3% affect on revenues. As the NT dollar ...
March 4, 2008
Ericsson is aiming to become a leading service provider for IPTV solutions in Taiwan over the next three years. The company will also be working with local manufacturers of customer premises equipment (CPE) in developing IPTV products for global markets. This initial co-operation with manufacturers is likely to include IP set-top boxes (STBs) and LCD TVs. The IPTV segment is looking ...
Ericsson aims to be IPTV leader
by David MastersEricsson is aiming to become a leading service provider for IPTV solutions in Taiwan over the next three years. The company will also be working with local manufacturers of customer premises equipment (CPE) in developing IPTV products for global markets. This initial co-operation with manufacturers is likely to include IP set-top boxes (STBs) and LCD TVs. The IPTV segment is looking ...
