Posted on Wednesday, August 07 2013 @ 19:07 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
DigiTimes
received word that Qualcomm is anticipated to switch 10,000 units, or about 20 percent of its orders for 28nm HKMG wafers, from TSMC to Globalfoundries starting September 2013.
The capacity utilization rate of TSMC's 28nm process will be able to maintain at 80% in August, but will drop to 75% due in part to dwindling demand and in part to increasing competition, the sources estimated.
Globalfoundries is believed to have offered price incentives, such as a reduction in photo mask charges, to win orders from Qualcomm, the sources indicated.
Additionally, Qualcomm's orders will also be seen as an endorsement to Globalfoundries' 28nm process, enabling the US-based foundry house to lure more 28nm orders from other potential clients, added the sources.
