Asia's Technology Landscape: Key Developments and Partnerships (February 1999)

Strategic Insights -

In a significant week for the Asian technology sector, several major players announced partnerships, developed new products, and expanded their reach. Compaq Computer Corp. delivered a disaster-ready system to Tokyo Electric Power, while Korea's 12 communication service companies aimed to post $17 billion in turnover this year. Yahoo Japan Corp. announced its first-ever stock split, and Fujitsu Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. reached an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize fast-cycle memory chips.

Key Takeaways:

  • Compaq Computer Corp. delivered a disaster-ready system to Tokyo Electric Power, providing backup and fast recovery of the utility's communication network.
  • Korea's 12 communication service companies are expected to post $17 billion in turnover this year, with Korea Telecom aiming at netting $330 billion won in net profits.
  • Yahoo Japan Corp. will execute a 2-to-1 stock split at the end of March to attract new shareholders and enhance liquidity.
  • Fujitsu Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. agreed to jointly develop and commercialize 64-, 128-, and 256-megabit fast-cycle random-access memory (FCRAM) for digital consumer-electronics applications.
  • Sharp Corp. will subcontract chip assembly to Mitsui High-tec Inc. for the production of chip-size packages.
  • Malaysian businesses are advised to focus on business-to-business potential via the internet for electronic commerce, as 51 percent of online users in Asia South involve the business sectors.
  • MCI WorldCom is expected to complete the $336.18 million takeover of Australia's OzEmail Ltd despite falling short of acceptances.

Statistics:

  • $17 billion: the expected turnover of Korea's 12 communication service companies this year.
  • $330 billion won: Korea Telecom's target net profits.
  • 2:1: the ratio of Yahoo Japan's stock split.
  • 64/128/256 megabytes: the capacity of the fast-cycle random-access memory (FCRAM) to be jointly developed by Fujitsu Ltd. and Toshiba Corp.
  • 1 million: the number of chip-size packages to be produced by Mitsui High-tec Inc. for Sharp Corp. per month by the end of the year.
  • 51%: the percentage of online users in Asia South involved in business sectors for electronic commerce.
  • $336.18 million: the expected amount MCI WorldCom will pay for Australia's OzEmail Ltd.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com)
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)