Huawei: Keeping us out of India's 5G will be a loss to users, industry

Huawei has asserted keeping itself out of 5G play in India will be a "loss" to telecom operators, end consumers and vertical industries that could be potential beneficiaries of 5G techlogy. Huawei is among world's largest telecom gear maker that has lately been facing a ban from US on grounds of national security concerns. India is yet to decide wher to allow Huawei to participate in India's 5G trials.

Meanwhile, central government has already made it clear it will keep national interest in mind while deciding on Huawei's participation in 5G trials.

Huawei 'threatens' to pause investment in India if denied 5G clearance

'Loss to Indian operators, consumers'

Huawei India CEO Jay Chen recently said company does t wish to get caught in geopolitical crossfire, and that it remains fully committed to complying with laws of land, riding on strength of its techlogy. comments assume significance as US has blacklisted Huawei and is w persuading its allies to block Huawei from ir new mobile networks.

Chen said it is w an "accepted fact that Huawei's techlogy is much ahead of industry", and that company is a "frontrunner in 5G". 

"So keeping us out will be loss to Indian operators, vertical industries as well as end consumer. We are confident of Indian government taking an independent and unbiased decision that provides level-playing-field for all players of country, one that is guided by policy, standards and procedure and t based on country of origin or speculative allegations lacking evidence," Chen said.

Recently, Telecom Department granted Huawei permission to proceed with 5G 'use cases' demos at on-going India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi. In response to DoT's d for Huawei to demo its 5G use case scenarios at IMC, company had said it sends a "positive mess" and will bolster industry's confidence to work with company. 

Huawei has exuded confidence that it will be given permission to participate in 5G trials in India.

Amid a US push for a global ban on Huawei over "security issues" ahead of 5G adoption, Indian telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal earlier this month threw his weight behind Chinese firm, saying its products are "leading edge" and "superior" to rivals, and asserted that firm "should be in play" in India.

Mittal's strong endorsement for telecom equipment manufacturer came even as US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, speaking at a World Ecomic Forum event in New Delhi, had 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.

Huawei had recently offered to exclusively license its 5G techlogy to a US player to ensure a level playing field for rivals. 

Asked if Huawei is open to a similar arrangement for India (a point that Mittal too had alluded to), Chen said, "For India, re have been discussions with any company on this subject. So we cant really comment on a future speculation."

(With PTI inputs)