Asia-Pacific Region Sees Rapid Advancements in Technology and Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

The Asia-Pacific region witnessed significant developments in technology and infrastructure in March 1999, with various countries showcasing innovative solutions and partnerships. This article highlights key events and takeaways from the region.

China's Telecom Administration Bureau licensed three domestic companies, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Jitong Co., to provide Internet Protocol (IP) phone services on a trial basis for six months. This move aims to benefit a large number of subscribers, according to Zhou Baoxin, deputy-director of the administration. China Telecom, being the largest telecom operator in China, boasts the world's second-largest telephone network and the country's largest Internet network.

Sharp Corporation announced the release of a compact pointing device, designed for subnotebook computers and other mobile computing applications. The GP2Z0001AU is less than half the size of conventional touchpads and senses motion on its rubber surface with an infrared optical sensor system.

Japan's Omron Corporation introduced a small programmable controller reportedly capable of carrying out commands in 0.64 microsecond, more than twice as fast as existing products. The product also has twice the memory capacity of existing products.

Toshiba Corporation developed new technology for packaging semiconductors that is one-tenth the thickness and weight of conventional chip packages. The 13mm paper-thin packages (PTP) are designed for use with 50-micron chips as well as component-packaging technologies.

Hitachi Ltd. released personal computers, servers, and workstations powered by Intel Corporation's latest Pentium III microprocessors, targeting corporate users. With the 500MHz Pentium III chip, the Flora series machines feature enhanced 3-D graphics.

Schlumberger KK began selling high-performance testers that can be used to configure test systems for the development and manufacture of high-speed direct Rambus DRAM (dynamic random access memory).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Asia-Pacific region witnesses significant advancements in technology and infrastructure, with various countries showcasing innovative solutions and partnerships.
  • China's Telecom Administration Bureau licenses three domestic companies to provide Internet Protocol (IP) phone services on a trial basis.
  • Sharp Corporation releases a compact pointing device for subnotebook computers and other mobile computing applications.
  • Japan's Omron Corporation introduces a small programmable controller reportedly capable of carrying out commands in 0.64 microsecond.
  • Toshiba Corporation develops new technology for packaging semiconductors.
  • Hitachi Ltd. releases personal computers, servers, and workstations powered by Intel Corporation's latest Pentium III microprocessors.
  • Schlumberger KK begins selling high-performance testers for the development and manufacture of high-speed direct Rambus DRAM.

Statistics:

  • The licensed IP phone services in China will benefit a large number of subscribers.
  • The compact pointing device from Sharp Corporation is less than half the size of conventional touchpads.
  • The small programmable controller from Omron Corporation can carry out commands in 0.64 microsecond.
  • The paper-thin packages (PTP) from Toshiba Corporation are one-tenth the thickness and weight of conventional chip packages.
  • The Flora series machines from Hitachi Ltd. feature enhanced 3-D graphics with the 500MHz Pentium III chip.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, March 18, 1999
  • Asia Pulse, March 31, 1999
  • Asia Pulse, April 1, 1999
  • Asia Pulse, April 27, 1999
  • COMTEX News, http://www.comtexnews.com
  • Asia Pulse Pte Ltd (1999), News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)