Japanese chipmakers deny alliance

TOSHIBA HAS denied that it has signed up to a pact with NEC and Fujitsu to develop and produce next-generation, ultra-small consumer electronics chips.

Rumours have been circulating that Toshiba has already signed up for the alliance to produce new chips smaller than 32 nanometres.

The Nikkei reported the three companies are expected to form a team of engineers later this year to develop the new chip, aiming to begin mass production in about two years.

A Toshiba spokeswoman Kaori Hiraki said that her company is still considering the move. Fujitsu and NEC Electronics have also denied that an agreement had been reached yet.

It seems that the idea is still in the exploratory stage. All three companies have not ruled out the idea.

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