Huawei to build 5G infrastructure in Russia, could India be next?

While US banned Huawei for alleged espion and asked its allies to do same, Moscow has rolled out red carpet for Chinese tech company, letting it develop 5G networks in Russia. Analysts say move is as much a show of solidarity with Beijing against US as it is a drive to bring ultra high-speed internet to Russian tech users. This month, Huawei opened its first 5G test zone in Moscow in partnership Russian operator MTS, with a view to rolling out service to rest of capital. Moscow authorities say network will become part of city's rmal infrastructure within next few years. A pioneer in telecoms networks compared to many Western countries, Russia plans to deploy 5G in all of its main cities by 2024. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia in June -- at height of Washington's conflict with Huawei -- Russia's main operator MTS signed a contract with Chinese company. At inauguration of 5G zone in Moscow, CEO of Russia's branch of Huawei Zhao Lei praised company's activities in country.

"We have been working in Russia for 22 years. Thanks to our partners, we live well here," he said.

Russia rolls out red carpet for Huawei over 5G

He added that Huawei, considered a world leader in 5G techlogy, plans to "lead in development of 6G" in future. Huawei is also world's second-largest smartphone company. It did t respond to AFP's interview requests. A source in Russia's 5G research community said Huawei is biggest investor in development of mobile techlogies in Russia, with " largest research laboratory of all operators" in Moscow. According to Vedomosti business daily, Huawei currently employs 400 people in Moscow and 150 in Saint Petersburg in mobile research and development. It aims to employ 500 more people by end of 2019 and 1,000 more over five years. Experts said Russia's welcome of Huawei does t mean Chinese company is alone in race for developing 5G in Russia.

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

"Russian operators are all collaborating with multiple 5G equipment vendors, Huawei included. We do t see any clear 5G leaders in network deployment in Russia," said Michela Landoni, an analyst at Fitch Solutions.

She said operators prefer this approach to avoid being "reliant on one specific vendor" and to protect mselves against cyber threats. Tele2 operator was first to launch 5G in Russia with Sweden's Ericsson in August, on Moscow's main Tverskaya street. In midst of a trade war and techlogical rivalry with China, US has threatened to cut Huawei's access to US components and services it needs, such as Android operating system that company uses on its phones. Russia n promptly stepped in to offer its Aurora operating system to Chinese group.

If Android remains Huawei's preferred choice, Landoni said Aurora could be a "short-term solution" for group. According to analyst, Aurora could become a "stepping stone" in development for Huawei's own OS. According to Sylvain Chevallier, a partner at techlogy consulting firm BearingPoint, aim is "to create an ecomic front against US." Russia and China, he said, are trying to break away from US mopoly over smartphone operating systems. As for espion risks Washington has warned of, Russia is hardly worried. While using foreign mobile equipment risks foreign government accessing data, for Russia re is " big difference" if it is Huawei, Ericsson or ar company, said Evgeny Khorov, head of Wireless Network Lab at Russia's Academy of Sciences.

Despite US ban, Huawei still number 2 smartphone brand worldwide

"Many people use Android phones whose system is designed by Google. Does this mean that Google has access to all data? Yes, of course," he said. "So what's difference between Huawei and Google in this case?"

(Except for headline, or changes were made to original AFP/PTI story)