Micron said to license ProMOS 50nm DRAM technology
Micron Technology is said to be licensing its DRAM technology to ProMOS with ProMOS to start producing DRAM on 50nm in early 2009, according to sources at memory makers in Taiwan. Meanwhile in Korea, speculation has arisen that ProMOS is also looking to license technology from Hynix.ProMOS company vice president of sales and marketing Ben Tseng responded in saying that the company is still in talks with potential technology suppliers with no final decision having been made yet.
The sources said ProMOS and Micron are likely to ink a technology deal during late 2008 rather the first half of 2008 because this could free ProMOS from incurring any additional financial burden for 2008. They are optimistic that the new technology will potentially deliver an additional output of 20% over 70nm technology, implying that ProMOS could produce with lower costs. Micron, in the meantime, should also benefit from the deal as it is expected to obtain capacity backup from its licensee and in turn deliver a more competitive cost structure.
The sources added in saying that ProMOS seems unlikely to obtain its next-generation DRAM production technology from Elpida Memory, given that the Japan-based chipmaker has already tied up with Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC). As Elpida is likely to seek input from PSC for any potential contract with other Taiwan memory makers, and it seems no such discussions are being held between the two parties at the moment, the implied conclusion is that ProMOS has not, as yet, approached Elpida for talks.
Several Korea-based media have reporting speculation that ProMOS is also in talks with Hynix to license technology. A Hynix executive was cited by Digital Chosun Ilbo in saying that ProMOS is looking for 54nm technology from the company, according to a March 7 report. A report from the Korean Times on the same day, cited Hynix CEO Kim Jong-Kap in saying that its talks with ProMOS over technology transferal are "going well", while rival Samsung Electronics was also cited in describing the speculated deal as a "technology leak".