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Jul 1
MWC CEO exclusive interview: How MWC transforms into a cross-industry platform in new telecom landscape
On the eve of MWC Shanghai's opening, Francesc Fajula, CEO of Mobile World Capital (MWC) Barcelona, made his first whirlwind visit to Taiwan and granted an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES. He provided an in-depth analysis of how MWC evolved from a traditional telecom trade show into a cross-industry innovation platform. He also discussed differences in digital transformation across countries and emerging shifts in future industry competition.
Networking device provider Draytek announced a significant financial upturn for 2024, with year-over-year revenue increasing by 52% and net profit after tax more than doubling, with a 120% rise. The company revealed these figures during its shareholders' meeting on April 26, 2025.
Reliance Jio, India's largest wireless operator by subscribers, is projected to overtake global competitors to become the largest fixed wireless access (FWA) service provider by subscriber count by the end of the second quarter 2025, according to ICICI Securities, cited by the Economic Times. The telecom company's rapid subscriber growth has placed it ahead of rival Bharti Airtel and US-based T-Mobile.
As the calendar turns to the third quarter of 2025, the global smartphone industry finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped by a complex mix of geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty, and currency volatility. These macroeconomic headwinds continue to weigh on consumer sentiment, making a strong recovery in end-market demand increasingly difficult. Industry analysts are warning of rising operating costs and mounting challenges for smartphone vendors in the second half of the year.

In a move to strengthen its technological R&D and localized manufacturing capabilities, global interconnect solutions provider BizLink Holding Inc. formally inaugurated its Advanced Technology Center (transliteration) in Tainan, Taiwan, on June 26. The facility marks a strategic investment in both high-end production and sustainable development as the company deepens its presence in Taiwan.

Recent market reports indicate that leading companies such as Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek are highly likely to fully adopt 2nm chips by 2026. Google, having recently shifted its chip production from Samsung Electronics to TSMC, may also join this trend to ensure its hardware manufacturing processes keep pace with other industry leaders and maintain competitive strength.
Taiwan Mobile has achieved significant results in both the consumer and enterprise market segments, thanks to its transformation from merely a telco firm to a tech service provider embracing sustainable growth, according to the company's management team.
Taiwan announced new satellite mobile communication frequency applications but imposed localization requirements that effectively bar Chinese smartphones from using direct-to-satellite features in the territory.
Taiwan's telecommunications operators remain cautious about satellite phone services even after regulators cleared the way for applications, highlighting challenges in a market seeking differentiation amid fierce competition.
China's 618 Shopping Festival ended with smartphone sales showing continued growth, though at a more modest pace than previous years, as consumer demand weakened due to tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical tensions.
As AI and Web3 technologies rapidly reshape industries, telecom companies are shifting away from traditional connectivity services toward more expansive, technology-driven solutions. Taiwan Mobile is at the forefront of this transformation with its "Telco+Tech" three-tier upgrade strategy, designed to reinforce its presence in both conventional telecom and emerging tech sectors.
Apple is reportedly preparing to initiate development of its first foldable smartphone in the second half of 2025, with contract manufacturing partner Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (Foxconn) accelerating design efforts, according to supply chain sources familiar with the matter.