Japan’s Sharp plans multibillion-dollar display fab unit in India

Sharp Corporation has plans to establish a significant presence in India’s semiconductor market. Sharp is reportedly considering setting up and investing in a display fab facility, marking a substantial move that could position India as a key hub for its operations outside of Japan.

Per sources, meetings have taken place between Sharp representatives and senior government functionaries, where the company has expressed a clear intent to establish what could be the largest display fab facility outside of its home country. The discussions indicate that Sharp is actively exploring opportunities across various states in India, with plans for a sprawling 1,000-acre facility.

One of the primary motivations behind Sharp’s interest in India is to cater to the rapidly growing local demand for display technologies while also leveraging the country’s export potential. Sources suggest that the company is aiming to produce cutting-edge displays.

On Spectrum Allocaton
Meanwhile, government sources, shedding light on the telecom sector, have revealed ongoing developments in spectrum allocation. The government is currently engaged in an auction process for the allocation of spectrum for mobile services, emphasising a continued adherence to this method, sources said.

The recently passed Telecom Act has provisions for non-auction means of spectrum allocation, a move that is now being brought to the attention of the Supreme Court to ensure procedural propriety. Government officials have clarified that while the courts were not involved in the consultation process for the bill, steps are being taken to inform the judiciary of the decisions made.

It has been clarified that spectrum will primarily be assigned through auctions, with exceptions made for narrowly defined cases such as defence, police, aviation, and weather forecasting. Additionally, the Telecom Act provides for the allocation of spectrum for back-haul spectrum and satellite communications, highlighting a comprehensive approach to managing the country’s spectrum resources. CNBCTV18