Huawei is accelerating its 5G network investment and early this week it has uncovered another transformational possibility of 5G. In a live 5G test network, the Chinese phone maker has set a record-breaking internet speed for a single user smartphone.
In partnership with Türk Telekom, a Turkish telecommunications company, Huawei built a 3GPP compliant test network in a facility in Istanbul. Using the Huawei Mate 20 and Türk Telekom’s 5G compatible SIM card, they have reached speeds of more than 2.92Gbps. This is 5G’s highest speed to date.
Huawei says the speeds are only possible because of its C-Band Carrier Aggregation technology. It allows higher data speeds, increased capacity, and a wider spectrum.
With this latest development, Huawei assures that they will continue working to bring customers more market-leading commercial 5G applications in the future despite its ongoing trade tension between the US and its allies.
Huawei and U.S. Conflicting Relationship
In mid-2019, the U.S. government has imposed a trade ban for Huawei as a result of an espionage allegation. The allegation first surfaced in 2012 when a U.S. congressional panel alleged that Huawei poses a security threat. The allegation has worsened in 2018 when the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee warned about potential national security threats and discouraged American companies from conducting business with Huawei.
The standing trade ban prohibits Huawei to purchase parts and components from U.S. companies without prior government approval.
The conflicting relationship between Huawei and the U.S continues in the rollout of Huawei’s 5G network equipment. Despite the absence of US-based 5G providers, the government is still exerting pressure on U.S. telecom companies not to license Huawei’s 5G network technology. The U.S. government also urges its allies to bar it from their 5G networks.
U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously warned that the United States won’t partner or share information with countries that adopt Huawei’s technology. He put a highlight on the risks of implementing Huawei’s telecommunications equipment.
“We’re not going to put American information at risk,” he said.
Heeding US’s advice, Germany earlier announced that they may rule out Huawei from the construction of the country’s 5G data network due to security concerns. Other U.S. close allies like New Zealand, Japan, and Australia have already expressed indifference for Huawei 5G network.
Huawei Doesn’t Need The U.S., CEO Banters
Huawei has dismissed Washington’s campaign against its 5G network, leaving a rather defiant tone. In a Wall Street Journal report, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei was quoted saying “We can survive well without the U.S.” But he reiterates that the offer to build a 5G network for U.S. firms is still on the table.
The executive said that the company is building its entire portfolio of 5G networking products without any American technology. Hence, the existing trade ban does not hinder them from building the 5G technology.
“We don’t expect the U.S. to remove Huawei from the entity list. They may as well keep us there forever because we’ll be fine without them, ” Zhengfei said.
