Telecommunication, Technology & Media

Japan - Sony, Taiwan's AUO eye television tie-up

Source: AFP, 18 April 2012

Sony and the Taiwanese liquid crystal display maker AUO are in talks over a tie-up on production of next-generation televisions amid fierce competition in the sector. Struggling Sony, which last week unveiled a sweeping restructuring plan to curb massive losses, was also negotiating a joint venture with AUO to make organic electroluminescence (EL) screens, in a bid to compete with South Korean rivals including Samsung Electronics.

Both proposed ventures would use technology which promises sharper resolution and better energy efficiency. Japan's electronics giants have been battling falling prices, particularly in the television segment, which have eaten away at their bottom line and limited research and development.

Thailand - Ceiling to be set for mobile data tariffs

Source: The Bangkok Post, 20 April 2012

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) says it will set the ceiling for mobile data tariffs within one year. The rule will apply to operators providing mobile services on both 2G and 3G on the frequencies under the existing concessions, said Pravit Leestapornvongsa, an NBTC commissioner.

Dr Pravit said the NBTC board had hired a consulting firm to set up guidelines and framework for the maximum data tariff. Based on an NBTC study in the first nine months, he said DTAC charged 76 satang per minute, True 67 satang and AIS 54 satang. Dr Pravit said the NBTC needs to review the terms of significant market players to reflect real competition.

Global - Microsoft counting down to the end of Windows XP

Source: Channel News Asia, 11 April 2012

Microsoft is counting down the days until it is through with the Windows XP operating system for personal computers. The US software titan used a blog post to remind the world that in two years it will no longer support the generations-old operating system that people have clung to despite the releases of successors Vista and Windows 7.

"We want to acknowledge the two-year countdown to the end of Windows XP and Office 2003 support," said Microsoft marketing director Stella Chernyak. She advised computer users, particularly businesses, to begin "migrating" machines to the latest versions of the programs well before Microsoft puts XP to rest on April 8, 2014.

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