Vodafone ceased to buy the equipment of Huawei

In January, 2019 Vodafone announced the termination of purchases of telecommunication equipment of Huawei because of political uncertainty which hung over the Chinese company.

We decided to suspend promotion of the equipment of Huawei in our basic network. At the same time we interact with the different agencies and the authorities and also with Huawei — the CEO of Vodafone Nick Read (Nick Read) said in a conversation with journalists.

According to him, the solution of the operator to interrupt acquisition of products of Huawei is caused by "hype" around the company and the preparing next negotiations with the government.

Vodafone ceased to buy the equipment of Huawei

We need to collect the facts and to understand what should be the action plan — Read told, having added that Vodafone uses only "small number" of devices of Huawei in basic network in "the minor markets" and in Spain.

The basic network is a key component of cellular networks of the standard. It is the centralized part of network providing providing and coordination of the main services, such as voice calls,  SMS  and data transmission on switched lines. Many telecommunication companies try not to allow the Chinese equipment manufacturers, including Huawei, to the basic network to reduce risks of violation of security, notes the Financial Times edition.

According to Nick Read, Huawei plays an important role in a variety and stability of telecommunication networks, considering that in the world there were only three large suppliers. Except Huawei, it is about Ericsson and Nokia.

The head of Vodafone considers that "general prohibition" of telecommunication equipment of Huawei can lead to "a considerable delay" of start of networks of fifth generation (5G).

Capital costs of Vodafone, including on updating and expansion of infrastructure of networks, make about 7.5 billion euros a year.^[1] 

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