Huawei’s founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei has stated that the export ban imposed on it by the USA will impact the two-year lead that the vendor purports to have over its rivals’ 5G technology.
Ren last week claimed that the ban’s effect on Huawei’s business would be limited as the company had anticipated and prepared for it. He noted that the vendor could maintain the edge on rivals such as Nokia and Ericsson in both 5G and smartphones by looking into other areas or procuring new suppliers.
One potential avenue is an expansion of its HiSilicon chip manufacturing unit, which develops its own technology but currently relies on semiconductors imported from the USA. Ren also claimed that Huawei was ready to develop a new in-house operating system.
The export ban and other controversies surrounding Huawei have resulted in several industry standards groups suspending their engagement with the firm, including the SD Association and Wi-Fi Alliance.
Addressing this, Huawei stated: “We are disappointed by these decisions, but they will not have an effect on our daily operations. Huawei has not violated the articles of association for any of these organisations, and yet a small group of them have decided to suspend collaboration without any legal basis.”
