The coronavirus outbreak in China has widespread impacts on the ICT supply chain. Although many makers are supposed to resume production in China next week or in mid-February if no further complications occur, they cannot tell how normal their operations will be. Notebook ODMs estimate their utilization rates will be 50-70%, depending on the numbers of workers able or willing to return to work and material supply conditions. Companies in other sectors face the similar uncertianties and China-based panel makers, including BOE, CSOT and Tianma, who have fabs in Wuhan - the epicenter of the outbreak - could fare worse. For the mobile device market, the first year for the 5G era got off to a really bad start. Demand for 5G smartphones is likely to bt hit by the outbreak, which in turn will dampen sales of mobile DRAM.
Notebook ODMs to see coronavirus hit production: Taiwan-based notebook ODMs, which operate their plants mainly in China, have estimated their production utilization rates will range from 50% to 70% after resuming operation following the extended Lunar New Year break, as employees' return and supply of components and materials are being disrupted due to the coronavirus outbreak.
LCD fabs in Wuhan may suffer material shortages: LCD fabs run by BOE Technology, China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) and Tianma Microelectronics in Wuhan - the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak - may suffer a shortage of upstream raw materials due to mounting transport curbs in China as a means to contain the epidemic, according to industry sources.
Mobile DRAM demand uncertainty emerges: Mobile DRAM demand for smartphones is likely to disappoint in the first half of 2020, as the coronavirus outbreak may hit sales of new 5G-compatible phones, according to market sources.