DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Micron has paused a Taiwan cleanroom since October amid labor dispute, but keeps EUV plans

Joseph Chen — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 12:35:55 GMT

Micron has paused construction of a new cleanroom at its Fab 11E site in Taoyuan, Taiwan, since mid-October 2026, according to semiconductor supply chain sources. The company recently introduced a new quarterly bonus program tied to profits, but it still hasn't settled its dispute with the local union in Taoyuan, and no restart date has been set.

Largan consolidates camera actuator unit as optical business expands into CPO

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 10:29:45 GMT

Largan Technology reported October revenue of NT$5.846 billion (US$178.1 million) on November 5, down 7.0% year-over-year, while moving to consolidate its camera actuator subsidiary and advance co-packaged optics (CPO) products. Revenue for the first 10 months of 2026 reached NT$50.705 billion, an increase of approximately 1% from the same period a year earlier, as the smartphone camera lens market entered its seasonal slowdown.

Foxconn October revenue tops NT$1.3T on consumer and AI demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 10:26:59 GMT

Foxconn reported October 2026 revenue of NT$1.3053 trillion (US$39.8 billion), up 12.66% from September and 45.73% from a year earlier, as consumer smart products, computer terminals, components and other products posted strong growth. The result marked another month in which revenue exceeded NT$1 trillion. According to DIGITIMES, the performance was supported by stronger product pull-in activity and higher shipment prices.

Taiwan tech firms' Texas factory commitments total US$2.9 billion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 09:39:36 GMT

Eight Taiwanese electronics manufacturers have disclosed approximately US$2.9 billion in factory-related asset transactions and investment plans in Texas since January 2024, accounting for nearly half of their US factory-site commitments.

Acer reshuffles executives as Chan-ping Bo takes product, procurement role

Lily Hess — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 09:39:12 GMT

Acer is set to approve a senior executive reshuffle at its board meeting on Thursday afternoon, with Acer Being Communication general manager Chan-ping Bo reportedly taking over product and procurement responsibilities after chief operating officer Jerry Kao resigned. Bo is familiar with PC procurement and development operations and is considered a suitable successor, according to sources in the PC supply chain.

HP names former GSK chief Emma Walmsley as CEO

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 09:14:45 GMT

Hewlett Packard (HP) has appointed Emma Walmsley, the former head of drugmaker GSK, as its next CEO, ending a search that began after the company named an interim leader earlier this year.

The 346-GW question: Will anti-data-center votes slow America's AI buildout?

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 08:35:00 GMT

US voters favored restrictions on data center development in 40 of 41 local ballot measures across 10 states on November 3, signaling growing opposition to AI infrastructure expansion. Meanwhile, the election of a governor in Texas who has pledged to halt new data center approvals raises broader questions about the country's 345.9 GW pipeline of planned and under-construction projects.

Advantech sees high-double-digit growth through 2027, driven by AI and semiconductor equipment

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 08:00:07 GMT

Industrial PC leader Advantech reported record quarterly revenue and net profit for the third quarter of 2026, propelled by strong demand across semiconductor equipment, factory automation, and medical devices, alongside surging shipments of high-end edge AI systems. However, component price increases squeezed its gross margin down to 36.7%. Looking ahead, the company expects to maintain high-double-digit growth in both revenue and profit through 2027.

Advantech sees edge AI growth accelerating beyond semiconductor equipment into robotics

Levi Li — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 07:35:00 GMT

Advantech expects strong growth in 2027, identifying semiconductor equipment, edge AI and robotics as its principal growth engines. The Taiwanese industrial computing company reported robust orders across North America, China, Europe and Taiwan, although demand in parts of Southeast Asia and other emerging markets remains subdued. It is also monitoring potential US policy changes following the midterm elections.

Finance firms reportedly begin seeking investors for SpaceX's US$40B chip financing

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 07:29:58 GMT

Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management have reportedly begun approaching potential investors about purchasing parts of a US$40 billion deal to finance SpaceX's leasing of Nvidia chips. The firms are seeking to complete the transaction quickly in the wake of Democratic victories in this week's midterm elections, which some worry could slow the growth of AI development.

NAND prices face pressure as end demand freezes in 4Q26

Charlene Chen — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 07:19:39 GMT

Memory prices have surged for several consecutive quarters, leaving consumer applications grappling with cooling buying interest and weak demand. Kioxia has taken a more conservative view of the next quarter, while suppliers say demand remains but NAND prices can no longer rise, marking a turning point after roughly 18 months of gains driven by AI demand.

Toyota, Waymo target Robotaxi market with dual-track strategy

AI bot — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 07:05:52 GMT

Toyota Motor Corporation is partnering with autonomous taxi leader Waymo to advance its dual-track strategy in self-driving vehicles, as the auto industry faces the rapid rise of autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

AI demand lifts Kyocera revenue as company raises forecast again

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 06:55:11 GMT

Japanese electronic components giant Kyocera reported record revenue of JPY1.08 trillion (approximately US$6.83 billion) for the first half of fiscal 2026 (April to September 2026), up 8.8% from the same period a year earlier. Operating profit and net income also grew by 32% to 56%. The results prompted Kyocera to raise its fiscal 2026 outlook for the second time, increasing its full-year revenue forecast to JPY2.12 trillion, 9% above its initial projection.

Beijing restricts equity listings amid market slump as YMTC pauses its stock market debut

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 06:29:48 GMT

Beijing has instructed top securities firms and investment banks to pause initial public offerings and restrict large-scale share sales by major shareholders. Reporting by The Wall Street Journal reveals that the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued "window guidance" to slow equity supply and stem a prolonged market sell-off.

Coherent pitches itself as the neutral optics supplier after Marvell-Lumentum deal

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Coherent is positioning itself as the optics supplier with no stake in the chip wars, two days after Marvell Technology agreed to acquire one of its closest rivals.

Qisda revenue rises 13% in October as AI businesses accelerate

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 05:42:00 GMT

Qisda posted October consolidated revenue of NT$19.39 billion (US$590.8 million), up 13.47% year-over-year but down 1.85% from September, as its AI infrastructure, AI solutions, and smart manufacturing, and AI healthcare businesses all recorded double-digit growth from a year earlier.

Chipmakers rush to secure equipment for 2029 as lead times top two years

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Chipmakers are moving to secure production equipment for delivery as far ahead as 2029, as AI-driven fab expansion pushes some equipment lead times beyond two years and forces manufacturers to negotiate supply contracts years earlier than usual, South Korea's ETNews reported, citing industry sources.

EU launches EUR525 million push to close chip design gap

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 04:45:00 GMT

The European Union has launched a EUR525 million (approx. US$590 million) initiative to strengthen its semiconductor design industry, seeking to narrow the gap with the US and China while generating demand for chip manufacturing facilities in Europe.

CHT ICT orders surge 84% as 3Q26 results beat guidance

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 04:35:43 GMT

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) reported consolidated revenue of NT$675.9 billion (US$2.06 billion) for the third quarter of 2026, up 16.7% year over year, with revenue, operating profit, net income attributable to shareholders, and earnings per share all exceeding the high end of its financial forecast.

Cirrus Logic rides iPhone content wave, but backend squeeze, PC slump cloud the path ahead

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 04:23:11 GMT

Cirrus Logic reported revenue of US$559.5 million for its fiscal second quarter ended September 26, up 22% sequentially and roughly flat year-on-year. Non-GAAP earnings per share came in at US$2.70, with gross margin reaching 53.8% — a recent high point that the company signaled will not hold.

China's Big Fund III pivots to 12-inch chip fabs, equipment acquisitions to close semiconductor supply chain gaps

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 04:13:23 GMT

China's National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Phase III (Big Fund III) is shifting its focus from targeted semiconductor investments to large-scale manufacturing and industry consolidation, with a CNY900 million (approx. US$134 million) capital injection into Silan Microelectronics' 12-inch analog chip project highlighting its latest priorities.

Price hikes, market saturation curb global telecom, consumer electronics export growth

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:56:32 GMT

Rising global oil prices have driven up food costs, squeezing consumer discretionary budgets for products with higher price elasticity, such as smartphones and consumer electronics. A specialized report from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reveals that in 2025, global ICT goods and services exports reached US$3.6 trillion and US$1.4 trillion, respectively. Saturated market demand capped average annual export growth for telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics at just 2.5% and 0.9%, respectively.

Qualcomm to debut 6G terminal prototype at China expo, bringing AI memory to smart glasses

Levi Li — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:55:25 GMT

US chipmaker Qualcomm will present its latest developments in 6G and AI agent-powered devices at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from November 5 to 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The exhibition will mark the first public display of what Qualcomm describes as the world's first 6G terminal prototype conforming to the latest 3GPP definition.

SDC auto OLED shortage leads Li Auto to ship new Mega with LCDs

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:50:00 GMT

Samsung Display (SDC) is facing a shortage of automotive OLED panels supplied to Chinese EV maker Li Auto, prompting Li Auto to temporarily ship some new Mega vehicles with LCD panels. Strong vehicle sales have driven demand for high-specification displays beyond expectations, potentially giving SDC's automotive OLED business fresh momentum.

Apple opens AI beta in China with Qwen-integrated Siri

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:49:00 GMT

Apple has opened testing of its China-specific Apple Intelligence service with the iOS 27.3 developer beta released on November 4, integrating Alibaba's Qwen model into Siri. The full version is expected in December, as Apple works to close the gap in its generative AI offerings in China.

Flexium eyes 2027 breakthrough as PTFE enters mass production in 2028

Lily Hess — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:47:12 GMT

Flexium Interconnect chairman Walter Cheng said the company has emerged from the toughest operating downturn of the past two years and expects AI orders for smart glasses and infrastructure to accelerate in 2027, which is also expected to lower consumer electronics revenue to below 50%. The flexible printed circuit (FPC) maker expects its polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) products to enter mass production in 2028 and is targeting a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2027.

Ukraine's top unmanned fleet developer looks to Taiwan for critical components

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:45:57 GMT

Ukrainian defense tech company UFORCE, creator of the Magura unmanned surface vessel credited with disabling or sinking 19 Russian warships in the Black Sea and emerging as a primary threat to Russian naval operations, is actively forging ties with Taiwanese suppliers. Ukraine's real-world combat validation is positioned to act as a launchpad for Taiwanese manufacturers entering the global defense sector.

Analysis: Qualcomm's AI server CPU ambitions gain urgency as smartphone slump threatens its core business

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:39:30 GMT

Qualcomm's weakening smartphone business is accelerating its transformation into an AI infrastructure supplier, with custom accelerators, server CPUs, and optical connectivity emerging as growth priorities. Following a 26% annual decline in handset chip revenue in fiscal 4Q26, the US chipmaker is targeting US$5 billion in data center revenue in fiscal 2027 and US$15 billion by fiscal 2029. The question is whether these businesses can scale quickly enough to offset pressures in its traditional market.

Commentary: AOI locks in China's InP substrates for AI optics, but export controls threaten supply

Levi Li — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:35:25 GMT

AI data centers are accelerating demand for high-speed optical communications, extending competition in the optical transceiver market beyond chips and module manufacturing to critical upstream materials. Indium phosphide (InP), a key substrate for high-speed optical lasers and optoelectronic devices, is increasingly sought after as 800G and 1.6T transceivers gain traction. With capacity expansion requiring time and product qualification presenting technical hurdles, securing InP wafer supplies has become a strategic priority for optical communications companies.

South Korea's Moreh claims AMD MI355X delivers over twice Nvidia B200's inference throughput

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:28:21 GMT

South Korean AI software developer Moreh says AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs running its inference software delivered more than twice the throughput of Nvidia B200 GPUs in company tests, as South Korea moves ahead with plans to build AI infrastructure combining AMD processors with locally developed chips.

Naver Cloud ramps up use of AMD EPYC, citing high Intel CPU costs

Sherri Wang — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:28:00 GMT

South Korean cloud services provider Naver Cloud now runs AMD EPYC processors in about 35,000 servers and plans to deploy 144-core fifth-generation EPYC chips in its public cloud services in the second half of 2026. The company turned to AMD after high prices for Intel's higher-core-count processors slowed its server expansion.

Taiwan accelerates unmanned boat fleet as experts urge allied cooperation

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:27:48 GMT

The Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) released a report on November 4 at the 2026 Taiwan Marine Tech & Unmanned Robotics Expo (MATURE Taiwan), examining Taiwan's unmanned boat industry and international cooperation. Experts from Ukraine and the US urged Taiwan and its allies to connect technology networks and move faster.

US pressure on overseas AI compute squeezes Chinese tenants and Southeast Asian data centers as Beijing pushes domestic chips

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:20:01 GMT

Chinese AI developers are losing a key route to advanced US chips, renting them in data centers outside China, as Washington and US companies stretch American controls over compute well beyond US borders. The squeeze falls heavily on Southeast Asian data center operators that built capacity around Chinese demand. Beijing, meanwhile, is pressing its own tech giants to rely less on American hardware.

ELAN, Thunder Tiger, Gallopwave team up on 11 chips for all-domestic AI drones

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:16:00 GMT

Taiwan-based IC design house ELAN Microelectronics has announced that a joint proposal submitted with Thunder Tiger and Gallopwave—titled the "Domestic AI Smart Dual-Use Drone Platform and Advanced Handheld Ground Station Comprehensive Solution Project"—has passed review by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) under its IC Top Program and received government subsidies. The project aligns with Taiwan's policy on dual-use drones, which mandates that UAVs procured by public-sector entities and utilized in commercial applications meet military-civilian shared-use standards.

TECO deepens robotics push, targets dexterous hands

Lily Hess — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 03:12:53 GMT

TECO Electric and Machinery is extending its motor and drive-control expertise into rotary actuators, developing joint modules for humanoid and quadruped robots through in-house motor, drive, and mechanical integration, alongside Taiwan-based reducer suppliers. The company said it has already shipped robot-dog joint products developed with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and is now pursuing smaller joint modules while evaluating the dexterous-hand market.

Pegatron drives Scope 3 decarbonization through digital platforms, supplier engagement

Willis Ke — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:58:11 GMT

Scope 3 emissions are emerging as a major test of corporate management capabilities, requiring companies to move beyond carbon accounting and translate data into measurable supply chain action. Taiwan's Pegatron is tackling the challenge through digital tools, targeted supplier engagement, and collaborative decarbonization initiatives, said Min-hsiang Chen, senior manager at Pegatron's Quality and Sustainability Development Center, at the 2026 Net-Zero Sustainability Summit on November 4.

Samsung reportedly plans 2nm fab to boost HBM base-die output

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:55:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics is preparing to build a 2nm- and 4nm-class foundry fab at its Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, to expand production of logic base dies used in high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The fab is estimated to cost KRW25 trillion (approx. US$18.6 billion), with the broader project potentially reaching KRW30 trillion if an existing production line is converted into an advanced packaging facility, Seoul Economic Daily reported on November 4.

Taiwan digs deep: 2,049-meter geothermal well strikes 140°C in Taitung

Rodney Chan — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:55:00 GMT

Taiwan's deep geothermal sector is reporting fresh progress after a 2,049-meter well that reached temperatures of 140 degrees Celsius was completed in a challenging metamorphic rock zone in the eastern county of Taitung. The breakthrough strengthens the case for deep geothermal energy as a valuable baseload renewable power source alongside solar and offshore wind.

Memory surge leaves 8GB iPad Pro behind on AI

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:50:00 GMT

Apple's memory requirements for its new Apple Intelligence features have sparked debate after the launch of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, with some older or lower-spec devices excluded from on-device AI functions and local models consuming substantial storage. The 2024 entry-level M4 iPad Pro, priced at nearly US$1,000 and equipped with only 8GB of memory, cannot run some of the latest on-device Siri AI features, while the later-released iPad Air can.

SK Hynix leads HBM4 yield at 60%, expands DRAM supply

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:45:00 GMT

SK Hynix's sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) yield has reportedly reached the mid-60% range, the highest in the industry. Analysts say improved yield has lifted production efficiency, allowing the company to expand server DRAM supply even as it concentrates capacity on HBM, a trend also reflected in the growth of its DRAM capacity disclosed in its financial results for the third quarter of 2026.

Arm reports record fiscal 2Q27 revenue on licensing momentum and AGI CPU demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:44:16 GMT

Arm delivered a record-breaking second quarter for fiscal year 2027, reporting total revenue of US$1.44 billion, up 27% year-over-year. This milestone marks the company's fifth straight quarter of growth exceeding 20%, driven by massive acceleration in its licensing business and strong demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

MUFG, SMBC to renew JPY600 billion credit lines for scandal-hit Nidec

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:39:00 GMT

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking (SMBC) plan to renew a combined JPY600 billion (approx. US$3.8 billion) in credit facilities for Nidec through November 2027, providing financial support as the Japanese electric motor maker works to restore confidence following an accounting scandal, according to Nikkei Asia.

Inventec server demand drives record 10-month revenue

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:36:49 GMT

Inventec reported October revenue of NT$79.97 billion (approx. US$2.44 billion), down 18.9% from September but up 46.0% from October 2025, setting a record high for the same period. Revenue for the first 10 months totaled NT$822.23 billion, up 43.1% year-over-year, also marking a record high for the period.

Winbond approves US$2.2 billion fab expansion, seeks long-term deals with 10 customers

Sherri Wang — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:35:00 GMT

Winbond's board has approved approximately NT$73.1 billion (approx. US$2.23 billion) in capital spending to expand its Kaohsiung wafer fab, as the Taiwanese memory chipmaker prepares to select 10 strategic customers for long-term agreements that would reserve production capacity from 2029 through 2032.

Syntec Technology's new factories in India, Malaysia to push capacity to more than double in 2027

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:32:24 GMT

Syntec Technology is actively advancing its global production capacity expansion and artificial intelligence (AI) technology deployment. The company announced on November 4 that its Suzhou Plant 2 in China, Malaysia Plant 2, and new facilities in India are expected to be completed and begin relocation in phases starting in February 2027. As the new sites gradually become operational, the company expects its overall capacity in 2027 to reach roughly 2.6 times its current level.

QuantumDiamonds targets HBM defects as it develops inline inspection tool

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:25:23 GMT

German quantum-sensing startup QuantumDiamonds has tested its technology on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) devices, including cases involving individual through-silicon via (TSV) failures, as it works to bring its chip defect detection technology into semiconductor production lines. The company, however, does not yet have a high-throughput wafer inspection system.

CXMT prepayments surge 16x with DRAM shortage lifting market share

Levi Li — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:24:06 GMT

Global memory supply constraints are creating opportunities for Chinese DRAM maker CXMT to expand its market share. As major international manufacturers prioritise high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM, the tightening supply of mainstream DRAM is allowing CXMT to capitalise on domestic demand and capacity expansion.

AI doubts mount, but server supply chain still sees strong demand

Lily Hess — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:19:25 GMT

As concerns over AI deepen and negative headlines continue to emerge, companies across the AI server supply chain say customer orders remain strong. Industry sources said Nvidia GPU servers are entering a transition phase between old and new platforms. However, ASIC servers are filling the gap, supporting a positive outlook for the fourth quarter of 2026 as Nvidia's Vera Rubin shipments gradually ramp up in the first quarter of 2027.

Anthropic's Claude reportedly cuts custom chip design timelines with a 15-person team

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:14:14 GMT

Anthropic has reportedly told investors that its chip design team, comprising just 15 people, is using its Claude models to design custom chips. It and another frontier lab, OpenAI, are beginning to probe the AI-assisted chip design market as a new business area, even as they seek to produce their own silicon.

Mitsui Chemicals reportedly plans US$8.2B acquisition of JSR in Japan chip materials push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:13:02 GMT

Mitsui Chemicals is planning to acquire semiconductor materials maker JSR from state-backed Japan Investment (JIC) in a deal potentially worth more than JPY1.3 trillion (US$8.2 billion), which would rank as the largest acquisition in Japan's chemicals sector, according to reports by Nikkei Asia and Reuters on November 4, 2026.

GlobalFoundries secures nearly US$1 billion in custom chip design wins as it expands into physical AI

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 02:07:42 GMT

GlobalFoundries is gaining traction in custom silicon, processor intellectual property (IP) and physical AI applications, as the chipmaker seeks to expand its role beyond wafer manufacturing and capture more value from customer chip development. The company secured custom silicon design wins representing nearly US$1 billion in lifetime revenue during the third quarter, CEO Tim Breen said on its November 4, 2026, earnings call.

Corning starts optical connectivity output in western India, plans larger adjacent plant for 2027

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 01:58:36 GMT

Corning's move to begin making optical connectivity products in Pune and add a larger adjacent plant by 2027 shows the AI-driven surge in data center fiber demand, so far strongest in the US, starting to reshape the company's manufacturing footprint in India.

OpenAI moves deeper into software infrastructure with Pierre acquisition plan

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 01:49:17 GMT

OpenAI plans to acquire Pierre Computer Company, extending its push into the infrastructure behind AI-generated software as competition expands beyond coding assistants to the systems that store, review, and manage their output. The November 4 announcement adds the maker of Code Storage to OpenAI's plans for Codex, though the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

Qualcomm wins Starlink Mobile infrastructure deal as SpaceX advances terrestrial network

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 01:44:41 GMT

Qualcomm has secured a role in SpaceX's planned US terrestrial mobile network, turning Starlink Mobile's ambitions for integrated satellite and ground-based connectivity into a named infrastructure deployment. Announced November 4, the multi-year agreement calls for rollout to begin in 2027, with tens of thousands of sites planned over the life of the deal.

FPT starts chip-testing plant trials in northern Vietnam, plans packaging expansion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 01:30:22 GMT

FPT has begun trial operations at a semiconductor testing and packaging plant in Vietnam's Bac Ninh province, initially focusing on chip testing as it prepares to expand into packaging technologies. The facility has six production lines and a maximum designed capacity of 300 million chips annually, the company said in a November 3 release.

Google commits US$15 billion to expand Malaysian data centers in 2027 and 2028

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 01:19:09 GMT

Google's plan to invest US$15 billion in Malaysia over 2027 and 2028 deepens its bet on what AFP calls Southeast Asia's fastest-growing data center hub, and ties the expansion to commitments on power, water, and skills as Malaysian authorities scrutinize the facilities' demands on national resources.

Asia Optical posts record Q3 profit, ramps CPO and AI optics push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 5 Nov 2026 00:53:32 GMT

Asia Optical Group reported record third-quarter profit for 2026 on November 4, as revenue reached approximately NT$7.846 billion (US$239.4 million), while gross profit, operating profit, and net profit attributable to owners of the company all hit new highs for the same period. The company is accelerating its co-packaged optics (CPO) and AI application strategy in Q4 2026.

GlobalFoundries revenue rises 13% as data center demand offsets mobile decline

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:46:29 GMT

GlobalFoundries' third quarter showed the contract chipmaker's revenue base shifting from smartphones to AI-related networking, and that shift is now boosting profitability. Revenue rose 13% from a year earlier to US$1.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, according to the company's November 4 earnings release, while IFRS gross margin widened to 30.1%.

Qualcomm's September-quarter revenue falls 8% as handset slump outweighs automotive gains

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:45:13 GMT

Qualcomm's fiscal fourth quarter showed a company whose growth now comes almost entirely from outside the smartphone, but not yet at a scale that can offset a shrinking handset business. Revenue fell 8% from a year earlier to US$10.3 billion for the three months ended September 27, according to the company's November 4 earnings release, as a memory-driven downturn in phone demand weighed on its largest product line while automotive chips grew sharply.

Arm's quarterly revenue rises 27% as licensing outpaces smartphone-weighed royalties

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:44:03 GMT

Arm's September quarter showed demand for its technology moving toward data centers while its smartphone royalty base slowed. Revenue rose 27% from a year earlier to a record US$1.44 billion for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30, according to the company's November 4 shareholder letter. Still, the gain came mostly from licensing deals rather than from the per-chip royalties that make up Arm's recurring income.

Taiwan-Netherlands launch four photonics R&D partnerships

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:43:10 GMT

Taiwan and the Netherlands announced four joint research and development collaborations on November 4 under their bilateral Technology Bridge Program, targeting photonic packaging, 5G and 6G communications, AI data center connectivity, and quantum computing. The agreements were unveiled during PIC Summit Europe as both sides sought to deepen semiconductor cooperation and strengthen supply chain resilience despite having no formal diplomatic relations.

oToBrite and Yuan build robot vision chain for Nvidia platform

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:42:46 GMT

As the Physical Intelligence and autonomous vehicle markets heat up, oToBrite is partnering with Yuan High-Tech Development to integrate its 3D binocular stereo vision camera module with NVIDIA Jetson Thor, delivering an end-to-end vision solution for robots and unmanned vehicles. The collaboration addresses the need for precise depth perception and low-latency image transmission in complex environments.

Chicony Power profit hit by notebooks in Q3 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:41:38 GMT

Chicony Power Technology Co. reported weaker quarterly results in the third quarter of 2026 as slowing notebook demand and severe memory shortages among customers weighed on performance. The power supply maker expects AI servers and communications power supplies to drive growth in the fourth quarter, while low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite products are positioned as a key growth engine for 2027.

Airoha targets multibillion growth as 100G ramps, 200G tapes out

Lily Hess — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:40:57 GMT

Airoha, a MediaTek subsidiary, expects its optical communications business to deliver another multiple-fold increase in 2027 as 100G pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM4) digital signal processor (DSP) shipments ramp and its 200G product targets tape-out by the end of the year. The company also reported record quarterly revenue and profit in the third quarter of 2026, driven by its wired networking infrastructure and wireless edge AI businesses.

Empyrean's EDA acquisitions could give Korean chip designers cheaper tools—and stronger Chinese rivals

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:40:28 GMT

China's efforts to build a complete domestic chip-design software stack are gathering pace through acquisitions and strategic investments. Empyrean Technology's latest transactions target gaps in verification, placement and routing, and logic optimisation, strengthening its challenge to established electronic design automation (EDA) suppliers.

AI chips need 1.5 years to move beyond cloud: HCLTech

Lily Hess — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:39:45 GMT

HCLTech said AI chips will need about 1.5 years to move into mass adoption beyond cloud infrastructure, as the industry develops integrated semiconductor platforms to support large-scale AI deployment. The company made the remarks in a white paper released with Omdia on November 3, which highlights Taiwan's key role in powering the next phase of AI infrastructure growth.

DIGITIMES Insight: TSMC, ASML's 2031 photomask target puts High NA EUV suppliers on the clock

Levi Li — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:38:51 GMT

ASML and TSMC announced plans in September 2026, ahead of the SPIE BACUS symposium, to advance high-numerical-aperture extreme ultraviolet (High NA EUV) lithography by replacing the decades-old 6-inch photomask format with larger 12-inch masks. TSMC plans to introduce High NA EUV into advanced-node volume production from 2030, establish a 12-inch mask pilot line and begin production-line and ecosystem qualification by 2031, and achieve full readiness for 12-inch-mask High NA EUV systems supporting advanced-node manufacturing by 2033.

Murata, Samsung Electro-Mechanics reportedly secure Winbond's silicon capacitor capacity

Sherri Wang — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:37:41 GMT

Murata Manufacturing and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) have reportedly secured silicon capacitor production capacity from Winbond Electronics to meet demand from their end customers, as the Taiwanese memory maker expands into components used in AI advanced packaging.

From assembly lines to front lines, defense opens new opportunities for automakers

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:36:24 GMT

As low capacity utilization, steep tariffs, and fierce competition from Chinese automakers pressure the industry, significant growth in European defense spending is opening new business opportunities for European and US automotive supply chains. Automakers are entering the defense sector through four main models, namely plant conversion, platform adaptation, protection and security, and autonomous logistics, channeling idle capacity and technological strengths into this new blue ocean.

AI squeezes chip component capacity as Zyxel flags longer lead times, higher memory costs

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:34:36 GMT

Slowing capex by global telecom operators and surging prices for memory and other components weakened Taiwan-based networking equipment maker Zyxel Group's operations in the third quarter of 2026. The company posted consolidated revenue of NT$7.753 billion (US$236.7 million), down 11.4% quarter-over-quarter but up 20.8% year-over-year, as overall customer demand recovered.

Nvidia DSX POD leads modular wave as Taiwanese firms race into AI data-center integration

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:34:14 GMT

As AI data center construction continues to scale up, shortening build times and bringing computing capacity online faster have become key priorities for cloud service providers (CSPs) and AI infrastructure companies. Nvidia's recently launched DSX POD reference design seeks to move equipment installation, cabling, piping, and system testing from data center sites to factories, pushing AI data centers toward prefabricated, modular delivery.

Subsidies pave the way as cheap cells squeeze Taiwan's energy storage players into a profit battle

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:33:41 GMT

With Taiwan's electricity prices poised to rise, large power users set to bear the brunt, and the government planning to broaden the definition of large power users, pairing electricity supply with energy storage has become a global trend. However, as Taiwan's energy storage market faces competition from low-cost lithium battery cells, whether government subsidies can translate into actual profits has become a focus for many local supply chains.

Taiwan's power density tops Japan, South Korea as AI drives Southern Taiwan Science Park load

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 23:32:57 GMT

AI expansion and rising household electricity demand are pushing Taiwan's power consumption higher, with Taipower forecasting that the Southern Taiwan Science Park's electricity load will reach about 4GW in 2031, accounting for 9% of Taiwan's total power use. Taiwan's electricity consumption per unit of land is already about 2.7 times Japan's and 1.3 times South Korea's, Taipower said.

Former Intel packaging chief Navid Shahriari joins MediaTek as senior vice president

DIGITIMES — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 10:43:22 GMT

MediaTek announced that Navid Shahriari will join the company on November 9 as Senior Vice President, reporting to the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer.