Global silicon chip shortage hits supply of phones, TVs, cars and Australia's NBN

Covid shutdowns and Texas storms behind dearth of chips needed for semiconductors to make array of products

A global shortage of one crucial piece of technology is causing delays in everything from cars and televisions to video game consoles and Australia's National Broadband Network rollout.

A temporary shutdown in the production of silicon computer chips at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as severe storms in Texas causing more recent delays, has caused worldwide chip shortages, with a knock-on effect for the production of phones, laptops and even automobiles.