Telecom Lead India: After facing problems in telecom
markets in India, Iran and America, troubles are brewing for Huawei in
Australia. The federal government has banned Huawei from participating in
multibillion- dollar tenders to supply equipment to broadband network. Concerns
over cyber attacks originating in China are the main reason for banning Huawei.
The moves come despite efforts by Huawei to improve its
image. The company is reported to have links to the Chinese government. Its
chief executive, Ren Zhengfei, was a member of the People’s Liberation Army.
The issue is emerging as a major test of relations with Australia’s biggest
trading partner.
Huawei is fighting the ban and plans to announce its
sponsorship of the Canberra Raiders rugby league team in a bid to lift its
profile in the national capital, according to media reports.
Huawei counts the New South Wales Government among its
public sector customers, supplying routers for its ambulance service. It is in
talks with the Western Australian Government to offer communications for
regional mining communities.
In October 2011, Huawei said its staff numbers in
Australia increased to 700 from 300 at the end of last year. The majority were
allocated to new contracts with Vodafone and Optus in the company’s core
networking offering.
Huawei feels the heat in Iran telecom market
In 2011, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an
independent agency, urged Huawei to end its business in Iran. UANI alleges that
Huawei provides Iranian regime with cellular and electronic technology that it
has used to conduct surveillance on its citizens, and track down human rights
activists and dissidents.
editor@telecomlead.com
