China gets RIM's BlackBerry at last

Also in the vnunet.com Asia news wrap: Japan rolls out fuel-cell powered train; Former HP boss Fiorina joins TSMC; Japan's server market soars

US-based mobile messaging firm Research in Motion (RIM) will launch its BlackBerry text messaging service in China next month.

RIM will operate the service across the country in cooperation with local mobile phone company, China Mobile, RIM chairman Jim Balsillie said during an earnings release conference call. 

The deal has been more than 18 months in the making; RIM signed an initial letter of agreement with China Mobile in September 2004.

The company did not explain the reasons behind the apparently delayed roll out. The BlackBerry service is already available in Hong Kong.

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The world's first fuel cell powered train will come into service in Japan in 2007, East Japan Railway Company announced yesterday.

Testing will soon commence on a prototype, powered by two 65-kilowatt fuel cells, which will have a top speed of 100km/h, Japan Corporate News said, citing local press reports.

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The world's largest manufacturer of build-to-order silicon chips, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) announced yesterday that former HP chief executive Carly Fiorina will join its board as an independent director.

"This announcement should be a non-event," commented Primasia Securities of Taipei in a research release.

"Nevertheless, we believe that Fiorina can bring her leadership experience in a world-class company as well as a positive influence to TSMC."

Other independent directors at TSMC include Acer founder Stan Shih, BT chairman Sir Peter Bonfield, and Dr Lester Thurow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Japan's PC server market grew almost 25 per cent in 2005, Tokyo-based MM Research Institute (MMRI) reported this week. Shipment value increased almost 20 per cent to $1.83bn. Just over half a million units were shipped.

"There are two major reasons for the growth," MMRI said in a press release. "Major telecoms companies invested heavily on servers throughout the year and, in the second half, investments by major and medium-sized companies in manufacturing and distribution recovered gradually."

MMRI expects the market to continue to expand in 2006 as Japan's economy recovers from recession. The firm predicts shipments to grow 12.8 per cent this year, to reach a new record of 575,000 units.