Well, in 80-90s two major factors were
- transition from analog to digital mobile telecommunication (resistors and diods to DSPs)
- the common european market, both in terms of the general markets and the GSM market.
(which still has not become implemented for some bundling operators)
ref "when it is possible to get a foot into an existing market and technology"
(3G is just a little more software and horse power than GSM and the only "protected market" is QCDMA, still for some years to come)
Already then "the asians were coming" but the fact is that, for mass produced highly integrated electronics, labor costs are smaller than in almost any other product.
However, messing up quality, logistics is serious stuff, except when the production quantities are small.
Ilmarinen
Btw, the whole idea with 3G was to get both USA and "the asians" onboard (and prepare them for "open standards")
That is, it takes a combination of both "group skills", "individuality" and "honesty" to compete, or to become a "shrink wrap" manufacturer. |
