As the trade tensions between the US and China heat up, Huawei has asked India to make an informed decision on the upcoming 5G trials, independent of its status with the US. The Chinese company has requested that the Indian government “take an independent view” for the protection of its data and networks.
The telecom equipment giant has been in pressure ever since the US banned Huawei from being in business with American companies. The US has also been demanding that other countries follow through on the ban to restrict Huawei’s operations in their countries over the matter of security.
With the upcoming 5G trials set to initiate in 100 days, Huawei is now asking the Indian government to make their decision on the company’s position for the jump to 5G.
In a statement sent to PTI, Huawei said “The Indian Government or any other country must take an independent view to protect its own networks and data through its own standards, test mechanisms and policies. It is important to address cybersecurity risks through evidence and fact-based approach, introducing checks and balances with monitored participation rather than banning out of fear”.
Prior to this, Huaweiobtained 46 commercial 5G contracts, surpassing Nokia in therace for setting up the next generation of cellular technology, despite the US ban. The46 commercial 5G deals had been completed inacross 30 countries and Huawei revealed that it has set up about 1 lakh5G stations across the globe.
Earlier in June, Indian Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad disclosed that India has its security concerns if it allowed Huawei to take part in the 5G trials. Prasad said “We will take a firm view on it. There are also security issues…it is not only a matter of technology, as regard their participation in 5G is concerned…Participation of 5G is not conditional upon the trial being started. Whether a particular company is allowed to participate or not, is a complex question including security issues”.
As a reply to the Telecom Minister’s statement, Huawei said that India should take an independent decision on the matter and offer an “unbiased and non-discriminatory” for Chinese companies. The company also added saying “Huawei has received full support and confidence of the Indian Government during our near 20 years operations in the country”.
Huawei says “Today, with almost two decades of operations in India, India is one of the largest and most localised presence outside China for Huawei. We are committed to bringing world-class ICT solutions and products through our widespread presence in India encompassing the R&D Centre, Global Service Centre, the Innovation and Demo Centre, and a nationwide presence with regional and circle offices including the recently launched OpenLab in Gurugram”.
Where does Huawei stand in the middle of the US trade ban?
Huawei recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Commercefor having its telecommunications equipment seized by US officials. On the bright side, however, the company isdeveloping EMUI 10 based on Android Qandhaspublished a list of Huawei and Honor smartphones that are receiving Android Q updatewhen the upcoming mobile OS will be released. Meanwhile, US companiesIntel and Qualcomm arereportedly persuading the US government to ease its ban on Huaweiand sales to Huawei since both these Huawei suppliers are also on the verge of losing revenue due to US’ executive order on Huawei.
We’ve come to know that Huawei is alsoworking on a Sailfish-based Aurora OSas well asHongMeng OSas alternatives to Android. The consequence of losing the Android license has also pushed the Chinese company to look for replacements to the Play Store. While Huawei is in talks withPortugal-based Aptoide App Store, it’s alsoapproaching app developers to create apps for its own app store – AppGallery.