Huawei has opened a 5G innovation and expertise center in London as it steps up efforts to promote the virtue of next-generation networks, and its own technology in the process. The Chinese company describes the facility as a "knowledge and skills sharing base" with the stated ambition of promoting collaboration between companies and innovators in the development of 5G ecosystems. It also offers visitors the chance to discover 5G applications, including virtual and augmented realities (VR and AR), as well as new industry innovations.
Huawei 5G UK
"With the opening of our 5G innovation and experience center in London, as a leader in 5G, we are taking another important step," said Victor Zhang of Huawei. "What we have opened up today will enable real collaboration between British companies and technologists and harness the huge potential of 5G applications for the private and commercial sectors." This opening is part of Huawei's ongoing mission to promote 5G and the importance of its role in network deployment and the economic value it can bring to sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing. The company has so far signed 60 commercial 5G contracts, including with all four of the UK's mobile operators. However, its future in the UK is uncertain due to continued political pressure from the US to ban the use of the Huawei 5G kit for national security reasons. Huawei has denied the allegations of wrongdoing, while Washington has produced no evidence to support its claims. US pressure has had a limited effect in Europe, where Huawei has a significant presence. There is little support for a ban due to fears that costs will rise and innovation will decline as a result. Meanwhile, Huawei has called for a cross-sector approach to security, hence its focus on collaboration. In the UK, it has been suggested that Huawei be banned from the core layer of 5G networks, but not the radio layer. In reality, it would maintain the status quo. However, the government has yet to make a final decision with information suggesting that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is inclined to follow the American example.