Orders for semiconductor-manufacturing equipment rose in October 2001, according to data released by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.

Solectron is to close its manufacturing plant in Sydney in 2002, laying off 490 people.

The IEEE have just published P802.15.1 D0.9.2 Draft Standard for Part 15.1: Wireless medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications for Wireless Personal Area Networks 2001.

The Defence Electronics and Systems Association (DESA) and the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence Systems Research Forum (C3IRF) have formally agreed to merge.

Hewlett-Packard has closed its assembly plant in Sydney as part of its consolidation of manufacturing centres throughout Asia-Pacific.

An important agreement just signed by the Australian Communications Authority and the New Zealand communications regulator will allow electrical and electronic equipment to be traded freely between Australia and New Zealand.

Novell Australia has cut 22 staff, after a removal of duplicated roles following its acquisition of Cambridge Technology Partners.

Amendment 1 to IPC-A-610C has just been released by the IPC.

Toshiba plans to tell 12,000 workers at its semiconductor division not to come in for two to four days, due to production being deemed not to be necessary.

Kyocera Mita's operations in the Asia-Pacific will be focused through a Sydney regional headquarters.

Estimates of the PC industry show annual spending is set to decline for the first time.

The TMP Worldwide Job Index says a net gain of 12% of companies intend to create new jobs in the next quarter.

PC manufacturers are risking supply shortages by continuing to receive inputs on a just-in-time basis.

Global sales of semiconductors totalled $20 billion in September, a drop of 45% from a year ago, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Alcatel has announced it is cutting another 10,000 jobs (9% of its work force).