➀ Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom is partnering with Astranis to launch a dedicated microGEO satellite to support Taiwanese communications by the end of 2025;

➁ The satellite will be the first to be exclusively dedicated to Taiwan, providing real-time backup for natural disasters and submarine cable disruptions;

➂ Astranis CEO John Gedmark emphasizes the importance of secure and independent communications for Taiwan's critical infrastructure.

➀ Apple preemptively shipped five planeloads of iPhones, PCs, and other devices from India to the U.S. in late March to avoid paying 10% import duty in the U.S. and to stabilize prices temporarily in America.

➁ This move gives Apple an inventory buffer in its largest market, allowing it to assess the impact of new tariffs on its supply chain without urgency.

➂ Apple's manufacturing base spans several countries, with some models produced in India and others in China, Vietnam, and Texas.

➀ Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has launched a new US$5 billion wafer fabrication facility in Singapore;

➁ The facility, located in the Pasir Ris Wafer Fab Park, features a 22nm wafer fabrication process;

➂ The event was attended by senior Singaporean officials, highlighting the importance of the project.

➀ SEMI announced a 2% year-over-year growth forecast for front-end fab equipment spending in 2025, reaching $110 billion;

➁ This growth is driven by demand in HPC and memory sectors, as well as the increasing integration of AI;

➂ The Logic & Micro segment is expected to be a key driver of growth, with investments reaching $52 billion in 2025 and $59 billion in 2026.

➀ The expansion of TSMC's fabs in Arizona raises concerns in Taiwan about the potential loss of its 'Silicon Shield';

➁ TSMC has assured Taiwan that it will maintain the most advanced technology in Taiwan and that the foreign fabs are not the most advanced;

➂ The Taiwan government's approval is required for TSMC's foreign investments above $45.5 million.

➀ The Mainland Affairs Office of the State Council held a regular press conference on February 26th.

➁ A journalist asked about U.S. President Trump's recent statement on Taiwan taking away the U.S. chip business and his warning to Taiwan.

➂ The spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, commented on the concerns and doubts in Taiwan regarding TSMC becoming 'U.S. TSMC'.

➃ Zhu emphasized that the Taiwan region's semiconductor industry and leading enterprises are treated as a 'door-opener for seeking independence through external forces' and even as 'a gift' handed over to the U.S., leading to growing opposition among Taiwanese citizens and enterprises.

➀ Faraday Technology reported full year 2024 results;

➁ Revenue reached NT$2,953 million (US$91.5 million);

➂ Gross margin was 42.8%;

➃ Net income attributed to stockholders of the parent was NT$236 million (US$7.3 million);

➄ Earnings per share of NT$0.91.

➀ TSMC, Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturer, is reportedly planning a new 1-nanometer fabrication plant in Tainan's Shalun area;

➁ The massive facility, a Giga-Fab, is capable of housing six 12-inch wafer fabs;

➂ It aims to leverage the existing advanced manufacturing cluster in the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) and connects strategically to the science park.

➀ The semiconductor industry is witnessing a surge in investment and expansion of advanced packaging facilities;

➁ This surge is driven by the growing demand for high-performance computing and other applications;

➂ Key players are significantly expanding their capacity with the aim of substantial production increases by 2025.

➀ TSMC plans to start mass production of its A16 process node in Taiwan by 2026 and expand to Arizona by 2028.

➁ TSMC's new Arizona wafer fab has begun mass production, with the first one in the US achieving mass production.

➂ TSMC's new 2nm and A16 process nodes may be produced in the US earlier than previously planned.