President Trump’s attempts to isolate Huawei are doomed to fail. The telecoms giant has an unassailable lead in 5G. Huawei has just announced an important breakthrough in 5G antenna technology. There are a number of benefits that will make Huawei more competitive.
Cheaper 5G will spur investment in China, and in other countries still willing to accept Huawei base stations. Tencent has just announced a $70bn spending plan that includes cloud services, artificial intelligence, blockchain, the “internet of things” and quantum computing.
Huawei’s resilience will embolden a Chinese regime already flexing its muscles after navigating Covid-19 with relative aplomb – compared to the US, the UK and others (Spain, Italy, etc).
While the Chinese government is pushing for a vaccine, this is not plan A: the danger remains that the ‘West’ will put too much hope, emphasis, on a vaccination, that may not work. Facial recognition, surveillance, and a commanding lead in drones all give China a strategic edge in the management of Covid-19.
Summary
• Huawei extends lead in 5G
• Cost advantage for Huawei will give critical edge
• 5G will help China (and others) manage Covid 19
