US tightens restrictions on Huawei

In a bid to restrict Huawei’s access to electronic components, the US has imposed further restrictions on the company.

The tighter restrictions aim at stopping the Chinese company from buying US-made computer chips.

Back in May, the US Commerce Department announced that global chipmakers that used US technology had to use a licence from the government to work on designs for Huawei.

The new rules now also require companies to seek permission to sell “off the shelf” general purpose design, the BBC reports.

Oracle reportedly enters TikTok race

Oracle has reportedly expressed interest in buying TikTok, meaning Microsoft might have a competitor in the company’s attempt to acquire the popular Chinese app’s business in the US.

The Financial Times reports that Oracle has held preliminary talks with ByteDance, who owns TikTok, and has been working with venture capital firms in order to make the acquisition viable.

Chorus building two regional fibre links in the South Island

Chorus has announced it will build two regional fibre links in the West Coast and in Southland in an effort to upgrade services and expand connectivity in the regions.

The new links will be built on behalf of the New Zealand government following a tender process by Crown Infrastructure Partners.

The links will run from Fox Glacier to Lake Hawea, via Haast, and from Te Anau to Milford Sound. They will generally follow the State Highway 6 and State Highway 94 routes.

New Zealand Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones says the two new fibre links will boost investment in those regions.

“Investment in high-quality communications infrastructure proved its worth to New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdown and will also underpin the economic recovery,” Jones said.

The link between Fox Glacier and Hawea is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022, while the Te Anau to Milford link should be ready by the end of 2022.