IC distributors have expressed optimism regarding the semiconductor market outlook for 2025, generally believing that overall circumstances will exceed those of 2024. They anticipate that a variety of applications will experience growth in comparison to the previous year.

Samsung Electronics Co. announced on March 24 that its co-CEO, Jong-Hee Han, had died from cardiac arrest at the age of 63. Han shared leadership duties with co-CEO Young-hyun Jun, who manages the company's semiconductor division. Since his appointment as co-CEO in 2021, Han has led the company's efforts to compete with Apple in the smartphone market while maintaining a strong presence in consumer electronics, reports Reuters, Bloomberg, and Yonhap News.

Chunghwa Telecom announced it will join forces with SK Broadband, SoftBank, and Verizon to construct a new 12,500-kilometer submarine fiber optic cable system called "E2A" connecting Asia and North America. The initiative responds to surging demand for high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure driven by AI, cloud computing, and next-generation mobile networks.

India's smartphone manufacturing rose in 2024, driven by Apple and Samsung exports, with Foxconn, Tata, and Dixon Technologies significantly increasing production.

The rise of AI data centers is fueling demand for co-packaged optics (CPO) and silicon photonics (SiPh), compelling optical communications firm Browave to fast-track its CPO development. The company expects to complete CPO validation by late 2025, with initial shipments to follow. Several customer projects are already in progress, and full-scale production is set for 2026. While broader market adoption remains uncertain, Browave anticipates strong growth opportunities.

The number of submarine cables is increasing rapidly as global data demands grow. Cloud service providers (CSPs) are accelerating investments, with the three major US CSPs expected to add 21 new cables between 2025 and 2027, accounting for over 10% of all new deployments during this period.

Micro OLED technology development in China has accelerated, driven by substantial government subsidies to enhance display manufacturing. Chinese firms are now increasing investments in mass-production equipment to meet rising demand, with Sidtek set to open its third Micro OLED factory in Mianyang, Sichuan province.

In today's evolving global digital economy, submarine cables have emerged as crucial assets for tech giants seeking to dominate internet infrastructure through strategic investments and direct ownership.

Since 2019, the Indian government has implemented the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for 14 industries to attract foreign investment in local manufacturing. Although it has positioned India as a key player in smartphone production, its benefits for other sectors are limited. As a result, India may explore offering subsidies for factory construction instead of linking incentives to production and investment levels.

Submarine cables are crucial for global internet traffic, handling over 95% of data transmission. They enhance intercontinental connectivity, lower latency, and extend internet access, especially in regions with weaker infrastructure. TeleGeography reports over 600 submarine cable systems worldwide, including the 2Africa cable by companies like Meta and Vodafone, spanning 45,000 kilometers across three continents.

Xiaomi is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with 2025 set to be a pivotal year as it aims to challenge industry giants Apple and Tesla in both the smartphone and electric vehicle (EV) markets.