Driven by surging demand for AI and cloud data centers, the network equipment industry is rapidly advancing from 400G to 800G and beyond to 1.6T specifications. This technological leap is prompting structural changes across connectors, cabling, cooling systems, optical communications, and overall system architectures, marking a new phase in the development of high-performance computing.
Chunghwa Precision Test Tech (CHPT), a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom, plans to start construction of its third Pingzhen plant in Taoyuan in early 2026, with completion expected by early 2028. Production could begin in the second half of 2028, supporting the company's medium- to long-term capacity expansion in the semiconductor sector.
G-Tech Optoelectronics (GTOC), a glass processing subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), announced it has signed a five-year framework agreement with a US defense systems integration contractor, covering the period from December 31, 2025, to December 30, 2030. The partnership will comply with relevant defense, national security, export control, and supply chain security regulations in the US, Japan, and Taiwan.
Apple's iPhone 17 series has driven a notable recovery in China, pushing the company's market share back above 20% and lifting monthly shipments beyond 6 million units in November 2025, according to industry estimates. The rebound marks Apple's strongest performance in the market in recent years after a period of declining share amid intense competition from domestic smartphone brands.
These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories in the week of Dec 29 - Jan 4.
AI technology is changing how content is created and presented on Meta Platforms' Instagram, shifting away from the platform's historically polished style to a "raw aesthetic" marked by imperfections, according to Instagram director Adam Mosseri. This reflects a broader transformation in social media content fueled by AI integration.
South Korea's leading telecom operator SK Telecom (SKT) has introduced A.X K1, a 500-billion-parameter AI model developed under a national AI initiative to establish a foundational platform for the country, highlighting SKT's efforts to align AI technology with national strategy and industrial applications.
Against a backdrop of cyclical adjustment and structural transformation in the global electronics industry, Foxconn Technology Group is opening 2026 with what it calls a "dual-engine" strategy.
As AI server and semiconductor companies look set to close out a profitable 2025, recent Chinese military encirclement exercises and live-fire drills around Taiwan have once again highlighted the island's geopolitical tensions. US President Donald Trump has stated that China doesn't want to invade Taiwan.
OpenAI is accelerating plans to enter the consumer hardware market, with reports indicating that the company is preparing a new voice-focused AI model to underpin its first generation of AI devices. According to TechCrunch and SiliconANGLE, citing The Information, OpenAI is targeting the first quarter of 2026 for the release of a next-generation voice model designed to deliver more natural speech, lower latency, and more fluid, human-like interactions.
South Korea is intensifying competition to develop a sovereign AI foundation model, with five leading teams from industry and academia unveiling first-phase results. The contenders highlighted differences in parameter scale, multimodal capabilities, and vertical applications. By mid-January 2026, four teams will be selected to advance to the next stage.
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