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Asia - Managed security market to grow 20.4% in 2008 Source: Business Times Singapore, 10 March 2008 The managed security services (MSS) market in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) is expected to exceed US$604 million in 2008, representing a 20.4% increase over 2007. IDC expects this market to reach US$1.1 billion in 2012. Managed security adoption is expected to be strongest in mature services markets like Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand and Singapore. In Singapore, the MSS market is expected to be worth just over US$50 million in 2008, up 10% from US$45 million in 2007. Reflecting the mature state of the market in Singapore, it is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.8% compared to the regional average of 17.1%. China - Domestic handset growth tapers off Source: ChinaWire, 6 March 2008 China's handset production rose 14% to 548 million units in 2007, and national handset penetration is 41.6%, up 6.3 percentage points from 2006, according to MII figures. But the growth in units shipped was 44% less than 2006, suggesting the device sector's high-speed expansion phase is over. Since 2002, handset production has grown at least 25% per year in most years. More than one-third of all phones were made in Shenzhen, where more than 30 licensed handset manufacturers are based. Yet the concentration of production into one location and intense competition have not brought greater scale. The market is increasingly dominated by foreign brands - Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, who between them have more than 70% of the market. Taiwan - Acer beats Dell for second spot in notebook shipments Source: Business Times Singapore, 6 March 2008 Taiwan's Acer overtook Dell to be the second-largest maker of notebook computers in the fourth quarter of 2007 after its first acquisition in four years added customers in the United States and Europe. DisplaySearch reported that Acer shipped 5.25 million notebooks for a global market share of 16%. Dell fell to third place after shipping 4.64 million for a 14% share, while Hewlett-Packard kept its lead with 6.66 million, or a 20% share. The Taiwanese company overtook Dell in notebooks after buying Gateway Inc in October 2007, as its rival faltered in a strategy of selling through retailers for the first time. The purchase also helped Acer overtake Lenovo Group as the third-biggest PC maker and its lead may lengthen after it won European Union approval to buy Packard Bell BV.   View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

This Weekly News Update is a free newsletter, providing a round-up of the week's Asia-Pacific news from our core industry practices. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

Fusion Consulting is a business intelligence consultancy providing clear strategic advice on Asia-Pacific markets. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong and 400 industry consultants in 16 countries, we conduct custom research and consulting to help companies understand their markets, compete more effectively and grow into new areas of opportunity. Email more@fusionc.com or visit www.fusionc.com for more information.