Airtel's Sunil Bharti Mittal supports Huawei ahead of India's 5G race

Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal on Thursday backed Huawei saying its products are "leading edge" and "superior" to rivals, and asserted that firm "should be in play." This comes amid US ban on Huawei over "security issues" ahead of 5G adoption. Mittal said while speaking at World Ecomic Forum in New Delhi that Huawei has become "extremely good" with its products in past 10-12 years.

"To a point where I can safely say ir products in 3G and 4G that we have experienced, are significantly superior to Ericsson and kia. I use all 3 of m," Mittal said.

Mittal ted Huawei had been able to take its products to a level where it was leading edge.

" power consumption is a fraction of Europeans, footprint is small if you have to put it on a tower, and y have powerful leading features... y are clearly leading edge. w, wher y compromised some American IPs (internet protocols), I don't kw," he said.

Airtel working with Huawei to deploy its 5G transmission equipment

US ban on Huawei

US has blacklisted Huawei and is w persuading its allies to block world's largest provider of networking gear and . 2 smartphone maker, from ir new mobile networks. Speaking at World Ecomic Forum here, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said Trump administration's opposition to Chinese company was t about protectionism but "genuine security risks" that go beyond front-end equipment, percolating to even areas such as upgrades and maintenance.

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'Relationship with China'

Huawei has applied for 5G trials in India. However, government is yet to decide wher to allow Huawei to participate in trials or t over security concerns. Huawei reportedly threatened to cease its investment in India if denied permission for 5G trials. Till date, Huawei is said to have invested 3.5 billion dollars in India's telecom infrastructure. 

Mittal said that government will also have to decide for itself its relationship with China. Asked specifically about his views on Huawei and which way India should lean on this issue, Mittal said, "My view is that y should be in play. I really feel y should be in play. lndia must use this as lever."

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"Unlike opening it to many or western companies our country and n having very little lever, I would rar have this lever today because it is an important part," Mittal said adding that benefit of US' pushback had been that Huawei has w opened up its techlogy, offering it to American firms, and may even do so for interested Indian companies.

While US hopes countries such as India will shut ir door to Huawei; for telecom services industry, it is t an easy call since switching to rivals could mean ripping out Huawei-built 4G foundations y had planned to bolt ir 5G gear onto. Meanwhile, central government has made it clear that it will keep national interest in mind while deciding wher Chinese gear maker Huawei should be allowed to participate in 5G trials in country.

(With PTI inputs)