Demand looks like it will improve.
>>>
TITLE : Intel to Place Intel 810 Chipset Orders with TSMC
September 22, 2000 (TAIPEI) -- Intel Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. are expected to forge a close cooperative relationship.
A reliable source has revealed that high-ranking Intel executives have come to Taiwan, and plan to place Intel 810 orders with TSMC.
In addition to Intel 810 orders, Intel, eyeing the vigorous competition in the information appliance and chipset sectors, has been discussing with TSMC the possibility of producing IA-related chip products. Following TSMC's technology upgrade and release of its mass production technology, the company has attracted global IDM manufacturers to invest in TSMC.
Intel is expected to place its Intel 810 chipset orders early next year, and the Intel 815 chipset orders might possibly follow. If Intel's integrated chipsets continue to integrate other functions, TSMC does not rule out the possibility of using 0.18-micron or 0.15-micron processing technology to produce new products for Intel, depending on its choice of next year's products.
As production capacity becomes more efficient, Intel will be able to adopt a more flexible strategy on product price.
Intel's overall orders placed to TSMC are to be substantially boosted early next year.
Both Intel and TSMC, however, did not confirm their cooperation on Intel 810 and IA chips.
Intel has lost market share in the chipset sector to around 50 percent because its supply could not keep up with demand. If Intel takes advantage of wafer foundries' production capacity, it will be able to maintain its dominance in the market, even though it may have to lower its profit margins.
(Commercial Times, Taiwan)
bizns.nikkeibp.co.jp |
