NewsNews

Technology news

  1. 1

    Microsoft ends involvement in Nscale's Loughton AI data centre

    Nscale says it still plans to build the £2bn AI data centre in Loughton, Essex, which it describes as the UK's largest, despite Microsoft ending its involvement in the project, the BBC reported. Microsoft, which had said it would fund a supercomputer at the site, declined to comment. The site was due to receive its power supply at the end of the year, and Nscale said it is exploring alternative power sources and called a London-wide grid issue unfortunate. The company said its relationship with Microsoft remained strong and long-term, pointing to ongoing joint projects in Norway, Portugal and the United States.

    Key facts

    • Last month Microsoft announced that part of its $30bn (£22bn) UK investment would fund the Loughton supercomputer.
    • The Loughton site is expected to create 250 permanent jobs when it eventually opens.
    • Nscale says the London-wide grid issue has no impact on its other contracts.

    Commentary

    What moved is Microsoft's exit from a supercomputer it had only recently tied to its UK investment, while Nscale insists the project still stands. With Microsoft declining comment, Nscale now carries the power problem and the loss of a major backer alone. The test will be whether it secures alternative power before the site's planned supply date.

    Sources: BBC

  2. 2

    Samsung to use TSMC's 3-nanometre process for Nvidia's custom HBM base dies, report says

    Samsung Electronics will use TSMC's 3-nanometre process to produce base dies for Nvidia's next-generation custom high-bandwidth memory chips, the Seoul Economic Daily reported on Sunday, citing industry sources. The move would mark the first time Samsung has worked with the Taiwanese contract chipmaker at the HBM manufacturing stage. Nvidia has also asked Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron Technology to use TSMC's process for NVHBM base dies and sixth-generation DRAM technology for core dies. NVHBM, unveiled in August, integrates Nvidia's custom memory controller into the base die and is aimed at standardising implementation across multiple memory suppliers, according to Nvidia. Samsung accepted Nvidia's requirements after an internal review but plans to keep its in-house production model for standard HBM and custom products for other customers. It is also assessing whether its own foundry could make NVHBM base dies if demand exceeds TSMC's capacity, an unnamed source told the newspaper.

    Key facts

    • Samsung will use TSMC's 3-nanometre process for Nvidia's custom HBM base dies, per Seoul Economic Daily
    • Nvidia asked Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron to use TSMC's process for NVHBM base dies
    • Core dies would use sixth-generation DRAM technology
    • NVHBM was unveiled in August and integrates Nvidia's custom memory controller into the base die
    • Samsung is assessing its own foundry as a backup if demand exceeds TSMC's capacity

    Commentary

    The headline event is the predictable part; the notable shift is that Nvidia's requirement is pulling a memory maker into TSMC's logic process, which would be Samsung's first HBM-stage work with TSMC. Samsung's readiness to keep its own foundry as a fallback suggests it sees TSMC capacity as the constraint, not its own ambitions. Readers should note that the account rests on unnamed industry sources and a single newspaper report.

    Sources: The Economic Times, Business Standard

  3. 3

    China proposes export controls on solar manufacturing technologies

    China's Ministry of Commerce has proposed adding photovoltaic manufacturing technologies and core equipment to its export-control list, citing national security. The ministry said solar technologies are increasingly used in sensitive areas such as aerospace and national defence, so greater oversight is needed. The proposal is part of a broader revision covering 40 key technologies, including AI and biotechnology. Reuters reported that Chinese officials held initial talks with manufacturers in April, and that the curbs could threaten plans by US firms such as Tesla to expand US production. Reuters also reported that Beijing has curbed exports of solar-manufacturing technology to India. Analysts say China is seeking to preserve its dominance as India builds domestic manufacturing.

    Key facts

    • China's Ministry of Commerce proposed export controls on 12 solar-manufacturing technologies and core equipment.
    • Perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cell manufacturing know-how would face complete export bans.
    • Ultra-thin silicon wafer methods (70 µm or less) and large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon processes would be banned.
    • TOPCon, HJT and XBC cell technologies would be restricted but not prohibited from export.
    • Public consultation closes November 15, and exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers meanwhile.

    Commentary

    The security rationale is the predictable part; what moved is the split into outright bans on wafer, tandem and polysilicon know-how, the processes rivals most need to build their own capacity. The cost falls on foreign solar projects and US manufacturers, whose expansion and equipment plans now hinge on how Beijing resolves this consultation.

    Sources: The News International, AsiaOne.com

  4. 4

    UK regulator proposes strategic market status for Microsoft in business software

    Britain's Competition and Markets Authority has proposed designating Microsoft with "strategic market status" in business software, which could enable interventions in how it bundles Excel, Teams and its Copilot AI assistant. The regulator, which opened its investigation in May, said Microsoft holds a strong position in key software categories, reinforced by barriers customers face when switching. Microsoft does not share that view, saying its products are open and interoperable. A final decision on the designation is due by February, after views are invited. Separately, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft must address remaining cloud switching barriers, the regulator said.

    Key facts

    • Microsoft would be the third firm under Britain's new digital market powers, after Google and Apple.
    • The software is used by around 20 million people a month in Britain.
    • The CMA will examine whether customers can freely choose AI tools and whether rivals can compete with Copilot.
    • The CMA will also examine whether Microsoft's bundling of security products limits customer choice.
    • Microsoft said its cloud market position does not justify a designation, and AWS welcomed the regulator's update.

    Commentary

    The notable part is how the regulator frames the problem: the concern rests on switching costs and bundling rather than on any product being weak, so Microsoft's interoperability defence becomes the central argument to watch. Cloud looks like a separate, lighter track, so the February decision will show whether business software is treated more harshly than cloud.

    Sources: The Indian Express

  5. 5

    TSMC Expected to Post Sixth Straight Record Quarterly Profit on AI Demand

    TSMC, the world's largest maker of advanced AI chips, is poised to report record earnings on Thursday, driven by insatiable demand for its chipmaking capacity and CoWoS packaging. Its customers include Nvidia and Apple. US expansion is the next focus. Elon Musk said his companies would build the Terafab AI chip complex, which TSMC might partly sublease, while TSMC reportedly weighs Texas alongside its Arizona plants. Morgan Stanley's Charlie Chan thinks Texas may become necessary within five years, but Morningstar's Phelix Lee sees less urgency.

    Key facts

    • Analysts expect third-quarter net profit to rise 65% to T$746.3 billion ($23.4 billion).
    • The forecast is an LSEG SmartEstimate drawn from 16 analysts.
    • Any figure above T$706.56 billion would be TSMC's highest-ever quarterly income.
    • Last week TSMC reported 50% year-on-year revenue growth, beating forecasts.
    • TSMC is investing $265 billion in Arizona, including an extra $100 billion unveiled in July.

    Commentary

    The record is predictable; the open question is whether capital spending, raised to $60-64 billion, keeps pace while shares up 63% this year already price in much of the boom. Texas is where the real tension sits: Chan sees necessity, Lee sees a bargaining tactic, and the outcome may hinge on US trade policy more than chip demand.

    Sources: VARIndia

Today's video

Also posted to: