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IMEC deal with nascent Indian chip industry raises questions about another "I" word |
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Nov 06, 2006 at 04:24 PM |
Today's announcement that IMEC has signed memoranda of understanding to partner with the SemIndia foundry and the Indian Institute of Science bodes well for the further globalization of chipmaking and nanoelectronics R&D.
Talent and technology are South Asian strong suits. The semiconductor and microelectronics industries would not be as successful as they are without the inestimable contributions of thousands of expatriate Indian engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
But when it comes to considering the viability of a homegrown Indian chipmaking industry--- apart from any discussions of competitiveness or necessity---there is another "I" word that lurks like an Asian elephant in the room: Infrastructure. Whenever I've brought up the potential for semiconductor manufacturing with those who have expertise and knowledge about the challenges facing the development of an Indian fab cluster, those experts have usually expressed doubts about basic infrastructure, such as water, power, roads, and the like.
In most cases, I've been told that the strength and reliability of the existing infrastructure is questionable, as is the capability of various levels of Indian government to upgrade those services as quickly and efficiently as needed. In other words, do Indian bureaucrats and elected officials have the will and the political oomph to push for the improvements needed with the same sense of purpose as their counterparts have shown in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and China?
If anyone would like to share their views on the emerging Indian chipmaking industry and the infrastructure question, please post your comments to Chip Shots.
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