SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co, the world's No.2 chipmaker, said it will spend $1.9 billion to build a new logic chip line to make processors for mobile devices as demand grows for smartphones and tablets.
Samsung, which makes application processors for Apple's iPhone and iPad - which rival its own Galaxy and Note devices - said the new line will use 300 mm wafers and 20 nanometer and 14 nanometer processing technology.
The South Korean firm is aggressively pumping up production of logic chips, as growth in the mobile device market outpaces weak computer sales. Demand for system chips used in smartphones and tablets is set to more than double to $59 billion in 2016 from $23 billion last year, according to research firm Gartner.
In a statement, Samsung said the new line - which it hopes to complete by the end of next year - would help meet growing demand for "smart mobile solutions".
The investment plan follows Samsung's recent decision to build its first chip manufacturing plant in China to make NAND type flash memory chips, which analysts estimate will cost some 4-5 trillion won ($3.4-$4.2 billion).
Ahead of the announcement, shares in Asia's biggest technology firm closed up 5.2 percent in a broad market rally that sent the benchmark KOSPI index up 2.6 percent.
($1 = 1180.1250 Korean won)
(Reporting by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
O2 and Vodafone join forces in preparation for 4G roll-out - Pocket-lint.com
Telefonica UK and Vodafone have revealed plans for a joint venture that will see both networks share one national grid that will improve call and mobile internet quality for customers from both.
It seems Telefonica UK, the parent company of O2, and Vodafone have taken the view that two heads are better than one as they look to gain ground on Everything Everywhere – itself a collaboration between Orange and T-Mobile – in preparation for the roll-out of 4G.
Both O2 and Vodafone have faced criticism from Everything Everywhere for stalling on plans to move into 4G, but this latest partnership is said to mean customers can expect indoor 4G coverage in 98% of the UK by 2015, two years prior to Ofcom’s deadline.
Other benefits from the proposed partnership will see each operator having access to 18,500 masts across one single grid – an increase of 40% for each operator - which again will improve 2G and 3G coverage across the UK.
As the partnership progresses O2 will take charge of all the masts in the east of the country and Vodafone the west.
While the love-in bodes well for customers of both networks, O2 and Vodafone are keen to stress their independence from each other despite the collaboration and will continue to compete with each other and other operators.
Ofcom is currently determining whether they approve of the proposed partnership. Pocket-lint will of course keep you posted as to any decisions made.
What do you think of O2 and Vodafone's joint venture? Let us know your thoughts.
York Acorn seek no slips on artificial surface (From York Press) - The Press in York
York Acorn seek no slips on Milford's artificial surface
9:47am Thursday 7th June 2012 in Sport 
YORK ACORN ARLC will step into the unknown when they walk out at Milford tomorrow in National Conference League division one.
The Marlins play on a 3G pitch at their Kirkstall base and it will be the first time the Blue and Golds have played a match on an artificial surface – with coach Scott Rhodes adding his men haven’t been able to train on one either.
“They’ve been brilliant at home this year and their 3G pitch will be new to us,” he said of the Milford challenge.
“We will go there and give it our best shot. It’s the first time we will have played on 3G. We tried to get on the York College pitch and train there but it was booked.
“I’ve talked to a couple of lads from Skirlaugh who went there and they said a couple of the lads came away with a lot of burns but what can you do?
“You have to get on with it. They are a big team. They will be well up for it. They know what’s at stake and we need to go there and play well. Milford will be a very tough test.”
Milford are four points behind high-flying Acorn in division one, having played a game more, and Rhodes knows a victory could give his side vital breathing space in the promotion race, which could be crucial at the business end of the campaign.
With nine wins in ten matches, Acorn have made a flying start but, while delighted with their results, Rhodes is looking for more consistency.
“All we have to do is keeping winning,” he said.
“We have been up and down in our team selection. With it being a summer season, a lot of the lads have been going away. It has been pretty tough and is the reason for some of the inconsistent displays we are having.
“But it is good we are continuing to win games and we have had players in the reserve team who can step in. I think we have got good belief.
“We are a young team. We have only a couple of players who are over 25 – the age of the team is pretty low. I think that’s pretty good.
“It brings a new lease of life to the club and training has been of a high standard.
“We are not the biggest of sides but playing in the summer has helped us. We have got good pace and it helps to be on firmer pitches. There have been some pleasing performances.”
Acorn continue to be without Matthew Withers, who has ruptured knee ligaments and is expected to miss the rest of the season, while the game will also come too soon for Michael Embleton, who has nearly recovered from a torn hamstring.
But Adam Endersby is expected to return to the squad.
New Heworth coach Stuart Brown is settling in well to the role, said club spokesman Ken Sykes as the Villagers visit Shaw Cross Sharks in division two.
Heworth were beaten 76-6 at Elland last week and sit bottom of the table having not picked up a point from their opening ten games. Brown, previously a key player, and assistant-coach during previous boss Steve Pryce’s tenure, leads a reshuffled coaching team, and Sykes has been encouraged by the early signs – even if results have yet to turn.
“He’s doing really well,” he said. “Training sessions are going well and we are getting some good numbers. We are still having to make changes on match-days but there are quite a few teams fielding short numbers.
“It is tough. We will keep going and see it through. Shaw Cross aren’t far away from the top of the league and we will deal with it the best way we can. There won’t be any significant changes to the team from last week’s game.”
O2 and Vodafone team up to provide wider network coverage - Techradar.com
A new agreement has been struck between Vodafone and O2 to share base stations throughout the UK.
The move will see the two large networks sharing 18,500 sites throughout Britain, and will enable a 40% increase in site locations for each operator.
The upshot of this is wider coverage for their customers – but don't think this is the same as the tie-in with Orange and T-Mobile, which merged to form a new company in the shape of Everything Everywhere.
They're still our rivals
O2 and Vodafone have explicitly stated they will continue to operate as full competitors despite sharing the site locations – this move is a continuation of the project that started over two years ago.
The two networks are also claiming the move will help deploy 4G networks sooner and more efficiently, as achieving the Ofcom target of 98% of indoor 4G coverage by 2017 up to two years earlier than that deadline.
However, it's unlikely such a move will mean an acceleration of the 4G auction happening as that's still in the hands of Ofcom - O2 has told TechRadar this move is to improve coverage, reach, efficiency and allowing a further investment in innovation.
I'll trade you Wales for Scotland
The two networks have also drawn a massive line down the middle of the UK and divvied up the base station management, with O2 nabbing the east and Vodafone the west – although somehow O2 has managed to consider Northern Ireland part of the east side.
So what's the upshot? A more efficient network for both Vodafone and O2 customers and 10% fewer sites around the UK as the redundant masts are decommissioned. Whether this will result in cost savings for the consumer will remain to be seen – we can but hope.
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