ireless content providers, traditional access providers, and application providers. In the paragraphs that follow we discuss each in turn. Let's now examine the manufacturing sector, beginning with the com- ponent manufacturers responsible for semiconductor and optoelectronic devices. The Component Manufacturers (Semiconductor and Optoelectronics) As the lowermost layer in the technology market food chain, the semi- conductor industry serves as the layer of silicon-based plankton that pro- vides viability to the entire chain. As a result, it is typically the last layer to contract in a recession and the first to recover. And, true to form, that is precisely what we are currently seeing. Global semiconductor sales were roughly $200 billion for 2003, with major contributors including WiFi, automotive demand, screen (display) technology, LEDs, micro- processors, DVD, DRAM, nanotechnology devices, and smart cards. Today there are more than 1.5 billion smart cards in use, underscoring the great demand for this alternative technology. Similarly, wireless demand has driven attention to related technologies, such as improved battery life, multiprotocol support, and reduced space requirements. Major players in the component sector include Intel, AMD, IBM, Agere, and Texas Instruments. Intel has long been the dominant player in the industry, with its functional tentacles extended into numerous suc- cessful ventures that span the breadth of the industry. AMD is the num- ber two PC processor manufacturer after Intel. Interestingly, AMD started its life as an Intel "imitator," licensed to sell Intel-designed chips as a second supplier to the market. The relationship between the two companies eventually unraveled, and after a series of minimally suc- cessful products, AMD finally came out with the 1 GHz Athlon, which put the company on the map. Their success story has continued ever since, and today they are a true force to be reckoned with. Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibra