Opinion Interview: Huawei and the UK 5G Infrastructure Debate
By: Shahzad Nadeem
Head of Smart Cities
23rd April 2020
3 minute read
The Internet of Things is the bedrock of smart, connected and secure cities. A network of sensing and communication technologies enables the collection and analysis of data, making life easier and more efficient for everyone. 5g is an integral part of this ecosystem.
Shahzad, Head of Smart Cities, has extensive international experience of working in the telecoms market and we interviewed him to give his opinion on the current Huawei debate in the news this week:
Q: Shahzad, are the proposed restrictions realistic?
A: Huawei to be restricted to ‘non-core’ part of 5G infrastructure and 35% of market share may seem unrealistic when Huawei is the major supplier into Vodafone, BT/EE and O2 current mobile network infrastructure, but it is achievable as it is not too late for 5G deployments in the UK. As a matter of fact, BT has decided to start removing the already deployed Huawei equipment from its LTE / 4G network.
Q: Is there a history of challenging mobile infrastructure companies?
A: I remember the days when Vodafone used to be Ericsson and Nokia based infrastructure and nobody could dare challenge the commercial grip that they had.
Q: What is the recipe for Huawei’s success in Europe so far?
A: Huawei’s disruptive entrance in the market with very low-cost equipment and support to a level that they built parts of networks at their own expense was just overwhelming and surprising for the market. A gradual, low cost, less risk and shared ownership based marketing brought Huawei in the forefront in Europe and now they stand as a force to reckon with.
Q: Do you think the proposed restrictions will work?
Q: Huawei’s contribution to the UK economy so far and the potential for further contribution is quite evident. The decision for letting them carry on with restrictions seems a good compromise but a bold step in the backdrop of US sanctions.
Shahzad specialises in smart cities, mobile networks, MNOs, MVNOS, MVNEs, wholesale, m2m and IoT. If you would like to comment or discuss this topic further, please get in touch.
The Internet of Things is the bedrock of smart, connected and secure cities. A network of sensing and communication technologies enables the collection and analysis of data, making life easier and more efficient for everyone. 5g is an integral part of this ecosystem.
Shahzad, Head of Smart Cities, has extensive international experience of working in the telecoms market and we interviewed him to give his opinion on the current Huawei debate in the news this week:
Q: Shahzad, are the proposed restrictions realistic?
A: Huawei to be restricted to ‘non-core’ part of 5G infrastructure and 35% of market share may seem unrealistic when Huawei is the major supplier into Vodafone, BT/EE and O2 current mobile network infrastructure, but it is achievable as it is not too late for 5G deployments in the UK. As a matter of fact, BT has decided to start removing the already deployed Huawei equipment from its LTE / 4G network.
Q: Is there a history of challenging mobile infrastructure companies?
A: I remember the days when Vodafone used to be Ericsson and Nokia based infrastructure and nobody could dare challenge the commercial grip that they had.
Q: What is the recipe for Huawei’s success in Europe so far?
A: Huawei’s disruptive entrance in the market with very low-cost equipment and support to a level that they built parts of networks at their own expense was just overwhelming and surprising for the market. A gradual, low cost, less risk and shared ownership based marketing brought Huawei in the forefront in Europe and now they stand as a force to reckon with.
Q: Do you think the proposed restrictions will work?
Q: Huawei’s contribution to the UK economy so far and the potential for further contribution is quite evident. The decision for letting them carry on with restrictions seems a good compromise but a bold step in the backdrop of US sanctions.
Shahzad specialises in smart cities, mobile networks, MNOs, MVNOS, MVNEs, wholesale, m2m and IoT. If you would like to comment or discuss this topic further, please get in touch.
