5G 'Implementation' in Phones to Be ‘Stronger’ Than 4G ‘Ramp-Up,’ Says TSMC CEO

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has seen an “acceleration” in the past three months in global 5G developments that will “speed up the introduction and deployment of 5G networks and smartphones in several major markets,” said CEO C.C. Wei on a Q2 call Thursday. Wei expects new product launches of premium smartphones, including those with 5G capability, to drive TSMC’s Q3 business. “We are working closely” with smartphone OEM customers “to carefully plan out capacity to meet their demand,” he said. Wei expects “implementation” of 5G in smartphones will be “stronger” and faster than that of the 4G “ramp-up,” he said.