In response to a significant tariff hike, Apple has flown five cargo planes of products from India to the U.S. to avoid steep new taxes. This costly decision reflects the urgency U.S. companies face amid trade tensions. As tariffs rise, consumers worry about price hikes, while tech firms like are grappling with increased costs.
Microsoft has canceled several planned data center projects across the U.S. and Europe, totaling around 2 GW of capacity. Analysts suggest this signals an oversupply or strategic cost-cutting amid AI investment concerns. While Microsoft remains committed to AI, the move raises questions about market stability.
Huawei is embroiled in a bribery scandal linked to the European Parliament, with Belgian authorities leading an investigation that has resulted in multiple arrests across Europe. The probe alleges Huawei used luxury gifts and payments to influence EU politics.
Nine European nations have formed the “Semicon Coalition” to strengthen the continent’s semiconductor industry. The initiative, launched in Brussels, focuses on research, development, and production, aiming for self-sufficiency amid rising global investments.
ZTE Corporation, a key player in the technology sector, reported remarkable financial performance for 2024, achieving CNY 121.30 billion in annual revenue. Despite a challenging global landscape, innovations in 5G-Advanced, AI, and all-optical networks propelled their success.
Japan’s SoftBank and OpenAI are negotiating a major deal that could position SoftBank as the largest shareholder of the ChatGPT creator, surpassing Microsoft’s current stake. With a potential $15-25 billion investment, SoftBank aims to strengthen its foothold in the AI market.
China-based Sequans Communications recently expanded by acquiring Swiss company ACP, strengthening its ambitions in the rapidly growing 5G RedCap sector. This strategic acquisition enhances Sequans’ capabilities to capture the expanding eRedCap market.
Swiss IoT module maker u-blox’s exit from the cellular IoT sector marks a strategic pivot to focus on profitable areas like GNSS satellite positioning. Persistent losses in the cellular division, driven by intense pricing competition and extended 5G IoT development timelines, influenced this decision amidst broader market challenges.
Microsoft’s bold $80 billion investment in AI-enabled data centers cements its role in the AI revolution. By 2025, this move aims to propel AI model training and cloud-based applications globally.
Open RAN technology struggled in 2024, with a revenue decline of nearly half a billion dollars. Despite this setback, there is optimistic potential for Open RAN’s long-term growth, especially with increased 5G activity.
