Product Code: MCP28257
Global Fabless IC Market to Reach US$203.7 Billion by 2030
The global market for Fabless IC estimated at US$146.3 Billion in the year 2023, is expected to reach US$203.7 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Telecommunications End-User, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 5.4% CAGR and reach US$71.2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Consumer Electronics End-User segment is estimated at 4.6% CAGR over the analysis period.
The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$38.5 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 4.7% CAGR
The Fabless IC market in the U.S. is estimated at US$38.5 Billion in the year 2023. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$32.8 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% and 4.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.8% CAGR.
Global Fabless IC Market - Key Trends and Drivers Summarized
How Do Fabless IC Companies Operate and Why Are They Important?
Fabless IC (Integrated Circuit) companies have become a dominant force in the semiconductor industry, reshaping the landscape of chip design and manufacturing. Unlike traditional semiconductor companies that design and manufacture their chips in-house, fabless IC companies focus solely on the design and development of chips, outsourcing the actual manufacturing to specialized foundries. This business model allows fabless companies to concentrate on innovation, design flexibility, and market responsiveness, while leveraging the advanced manufacturing capabilities of foundries to produce high-quality chips. The fabless model has enabled companies to bring products to market faster and more cost-effectively, driving significant growth and allowing them to compete effectively in the highly competitive semiconductor industry. The success of this model is evident in the dominance of fabless companies in sectors such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, and automotive, where rapid innovation is crucial.
What Technological Trends Are Shaping the Fabless IC Industry?
Several technological trends are shaping the fabless IC industry, driving innovation and growth in this sector. One of the most significant trends is the increasing complexity of chip design, driven by the demand for smaller, more powerful, and energy-efficient semiconductors. This has led to the adoption of advanced design tools and methodologies, such as electronic design automation (EDA) software, which enables fabless companies to manage the complexities of modern chip design more effectively. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is creating new opportunities for fabless companies to develop specialized chips for AI applications, further expanding their market reach. The growing demand for 5G technology is also driving innovation in the fabless IC industry, as companies develop new chips to support the high-speed, low-latency requirements of next-generation wireless networks. These technological advancements are positioning fabless companies at the forefront of the semiconductor industry's evolution.
Why Is the Fabless Model Gaining Traction Across the Semiconductor Supply Chain?
The fabless model is gaining traction across the semiconductor supply chain due to its inherent advantages in terms of cost, flexibility, and scalability. By outsourcing the manufacturing process to foundries, fabless companies can avoid the significant capital expenditures associated with building and maintaining semiconductor fabrication plants, allowing them to allocate more resources to research and development. This focus on innovation has enabled fabless companies to rapidly respond to changing market demands and technological advancements, giving them a competitive edge. Moreover, the fabless model allows companies to scale production quickly by leveraging the capacity of multiple foundries, ensuring that they can meet the growing demand for semiconductors across various industries. The success of the fabless model has led to its widespread adoption, with many traditional semiconductor companies also transitioning to this approach to remain competitive in the global market.
What Are the Factors Fueling Growth in the Fabless IC Market?
The growth in the fabless IC market is driven by several factors, including the increasing complexity and specialization of semiconductor design, which requires the focused expertise that fabless companies offer. The demand for advanced semiconductors in rapidly growing sectors such as AI, 5G, and IoT is fueling innovation and expansion in the fabless IC industry. The cost advantages of the fabless model, particularly in avoiding the high capital expenditures of manufacturing, are also contributing to market growth, enabling these companies to invest more in research and development. The flexibility and scalability of the fabless model allow companies to quickly adapt to market changes and scale production in response to demand, further driving their success. Additionally, the growing partnerships between fabless companies and leading foundries are enhancing the ability to produce cutting-edge semiconductors, sustaining the growth and dominance of fabless companies in the global semiconductor market.
Select Competitors (Total 51 Featured) -
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
- Broadcom Inc.
- Himax Technologies Inc.
- Infineon Technologies AG
- Integrated Silicon Solution Inc.
- Marvell Technology, Inc.
- MediaTek Inc.
- MegaChips Corporation
- Nvidia Corporation
- Qualcomm Inc.
- Rambus Inc.
- Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
- Renesas Electronics Corporation
- Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited;
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. METHODOLOGY
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- 1. MARKET OVERVIEW
- Influencer Market Insights
- Fabless IC - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)
- Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)
- 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS
- 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS
- Rising Complexity in Semiconductor Design Propels Growth in the Fabless IC Market
- Advancements in AI and Machine Learning Create New Opportunities for Specialized Chips
- Expansion of 5G Technology Strengthens the Business Case for Fabless ICs
- Here's How the Demand for High-Performance Computing Drives Innovation in Fabless Design
- Cost Advantages of the Fabless Model Generate Competitive Edge in the Semiconductor Industry
- Increasing Partnerships with Foundries Expand Production Capacity and Market Reach
- Growth in Consumer Electronics and Automotive Markets Spurs Demand for Fabless ICs
- Technological Innovations in Design Tools and Methodologies Accelerate Time-to-Market
- Rising Adoption of IoT and Edge Computing Expands Addressable Market for Fabless ICs
- 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE
- TABLE 1: World Fabless IC Market Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2030
- TABLE 2: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 3: World Historic Review for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 4: World 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 5: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Telecommunications End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 6: World Historic Review for Telecommunications End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 7: World 16-Year Perspective for Telecommunications End-User by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 8: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Consumer Electronics End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 9: World Historic Review for Consumer Electronics End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 10: World 16-Year Perspective for Consumer Electronics End-User by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 11: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Automotive End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 12: World Historic Review for Automotive End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 13: World 16-Year Perspective for Automotive End-User by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 14: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Industrial End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 15: World Historic Review for Industrial End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 16: World 16-Year Perspective for Industrial End-User by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 17: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Aerospace & Defense End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 18: World Historic Review for Aerospace & Defense End-User by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 19: World 16-Year Perspective for Aerospace & Defense End-User by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 20: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Other End-Users by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 21: World Historic Review for Other End-Users by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 22: World 16-Year Perspective for Other End-Users by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
III. MARKET ANALYSIS
- UNITED STATES
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in the United States for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 23: USA Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 24: USA Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 25: USA 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- CANADA
- TABLE 26: Canada Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 27: Canada Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 28: Canada 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- JAPAN
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in Japan for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 29: Japan Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 30: Japan Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 31: Japan 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- CHINA
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in China for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 32: China Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 33: China Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 34: China 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- EUROPE
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in Europe for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 35: Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 36: Europe Historic Review for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 37: Europe 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets for Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- TABLE 38: Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 39: Europe Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 40: Europe 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- FRANCE
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in France for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 41: France Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 42: France Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 43: France 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- GERMANY
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in Germany for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 44: Germany Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 45: Germany Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 46: Germany 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- ITALY
- TABLE 47: Italy Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 48: Italy Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 49: Italy 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- UNITED KINGDOM
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in the United Kingdom for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 50: UK Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 51: UK Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 52: UK 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- REST OF EUROPE
- TABLE 53: Rest of Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 54: Rest of Europe Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 55: Rest of Europe 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- ASIA-PACIFIC
- Fabless IC Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key Competitors in Asia-Pacific for 2024 (E)
- TABLE 56: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 57: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 58: Asia-Pacific 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
- REST OF WORLD
- TABLE 59: Rest of World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2023 through 2030 and % CAGR
- TABLE 60: Rest of World Historic Review for Fabless IC by End-user - Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2014 through 2022 and % CAGR
- TABLE 61: Rest of World 16-Year Perspective for Fabless IC by End-user - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Telecommunications End-User, Consumer Electronics End-User, Automotive End-User, Industrial End-User, Aerospace & Defense End-User and Other End-Users for the Years 2014, 2024 & 2030
IV. COMPETITION