Huawei navigates 5G fears amid cyber security spotlight

Amid the spotlight of concerns over cyber security, 5G development and with an executive in police custody, Huawei has come out to express business confidence.

In a move by the global tech firm’s rotating chairman Ken Hu seemingly to allay fears over the company’s stability, Huawei says it forecasts a high return on revenue as well as expressing confidence in its 5G prospects.

Hu hosted international media at Huawei’s new campus in Dongguan, China where he answered questions relating to the company’s standing on 5G development and allegations of cyber security.

The tech firm’s rotating chairman said Huawei had secured more than 25 commercial contracts for 5G.

“Now we rank number one in terms of commercial 5G contracts…And we have started to ship 5G equipment to the whole world. Actually, we have already shipped more than 10,000 base stations to different markets around the world,” Hu said.

He also said that Huawei projects to see revenue exceed the Ksh10 trillion mark.

“This year business has been very good for us. We are pretty sure that, by the end of this year, we will achieve more than $100 billion U.S. dollars in total revenue,” he said.

Hu also seemed to also call out the USA for its role in flagging the company as a cyber security threat.

“You are all aware of the allegations that have been made against Huawei this year. Despite the efforts in some markets to create fear about Huawei, and to use politics to interfere with industry growth, we are proud to say that our customers continue to trust us and recognize our contribution to the industry,” the Huawei rotating chairman said.

He added that cyber security is an “industrywide issue and we need to address it together”  while terming the company’s record as clean.

“When it comes to security allegations, it’s best to let the facts speak for themselves. And the fact is: Huawei’s record on security is clean,” said Hu.

The Huawei board member however either evaded or refused to comment on matters concerning the arrest of the company’s CFO Meng Wanzhuo because it is a legal case ongoing.

Meng was arrested in Canada and faces extradition to the US over breaching trade sanctions connected with Iran.

In the firm’s Annual Report, released earlier this year, Huawei cited significant progress in the local market confirming that its efforts to bridge the digital divide in Kenya among other countries was beginning to bear fruit. Huawei confirmed that, by leveraging its core strengths, the firm was working with its customers to narrow the gap in network connections, digital services, and digital tools adoption.

“In Kenya, we have helped significantly reduce the medical costs of over 200,000 people with digital clinic and telemedicine platforms.” the report said.

It added, “In 2017, we partnered with carriers including Safaricom in Kenya, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), PLDT in the Philippines, and Omantel in the Middle East to implement the approach of value driven network deployment and jointly build premium broadband networks. This has allowed these carriers to set themselves apart from the competition and achieve business success.”