Samsung

Description:

Samsung Group has reason to sing. The chaebol (family-controlled conglomerate) has surpassed its former archrival, the erstwhile Hyundai Group, to become the #1 business group in South Korea. Samsung's flagship unit is Samsung Electronics, which is the world's top maker of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and other memory chips, as well as a global heavyweight in all sorts of electronic gear, including LCD panels, DVD players, and cellular phones. Other affiliated companies include credit-card unit Samsung Card, Samsung General Chemicals, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung Securities, and trading arm Samsung Corporation.

Nokia

Description:

Wireless wizard Nokia has cast a spell on the mobile phone market. The company is the world's #1 maker of cell phones (ahead of such rivals as Motorola and Samsung, among others). Nokia is also aiming for the top of the nascent mobile Internet market. The company's products are divided primarily between four divisions: mobile phones (wireless voice and data devices for personal and business uses), multimedia (home satellite systems, and mobile gaming devices), networks (wireless switching and transmission equipment used in carrier networks), and enterprise solutions (wireless systems for businesses). It has combined its network equipment business with that of Siemens in a joint venture.