Analysis

A new report by Ericsson ConsumerLab has highligted the impact that 5G is already having on smartphone users worldwide and what they expect the technology to deliver in the future. Indoor coverage is one of the focus areas to emerge from the consumer research, with one-in-five 5G users already reducing WiFi use on their phones indoors because of the benefits of 5G mobile connectivity.

Manufacturers in the South East are focused on future growth, despite the challenges of the pandemic and Brexit. Although around a quarter do not expect a return to pre-pandemic trading levels this year, some sectors, such as electronics, were seeing encouraging growth.

At the occasion of the 14th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) is highlighting the industry’s commitments to source its raw materials in an ethical and sustainable manner that safeguards human rights within the global supply chain.

Bidwells Spring 2021 report has revealed that the Cambridge Industrial market supply has reached its lowest level in more than 15 years. The availability rate has dipped to 3.7%, leaving only a few immediate options for occupiers seeking space.

Increasing working hours has not resulted in increased economic growth when compared to other countries because the UK is not embracing new technology, according to tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

Regional market shares of IDMs (companies operating wafer fabs), fabless companies, and total global IC sales were led by US headquartered companies in 2020, according to the March Update to The McClean Report 2021.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of businesses see a digital skills shortfall as one of the most significant challenges facing their company in 2021. This is according to new research from the FTSE 250 professional services firm, FDM Group.

Analog Devices has announced a newly commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Analog Devices, that shows that industrial manufacturers who have made investments in connectivity technologies ('high maturity') are better positioned to drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage compared to firms that have been slower to implement connectivity ('low maturity') across the factory floor.

Total semiconductor unit shipments, which include integrated circuits as well as optoelectronics, sensor/actuator, and discrete (O-S-D) devices, are forecast to rise 13% in 2021, to 1,135.3 billion (1.1353 trillion) units to set a new all-time annual record, based on data presented in the 2021 edition of IC Insights’ McClean Report—A Complete Analysis and Forecast of the Integrated Circuit Industry, which was released in January 2021....

A broad-based economic rebound in 2021, fuelled by pent-up demand and a steady recovery in global commerce after the 2020 outbreak of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, is forecast to lift total sales in optoelectronics, sensors and actuators, and discrete semiconductors (O-S-D) by 13% to $99.4bn this year, according to IC Insights’ new 2021 O-S-D Report - A Market Analysis and Forecast for Optoelectronics, Sensors/Actuators, and Discretes.