Latvian Carrier Bite to Maintain 5G Cooperation With Huawei

XU WEI

(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 — Latvia’s third-largest mobile operator Bite Latvija plans to continue continue its fifth-generation network partnership with Huawei, the Chinese telecoms equipment titan that has been struggling against national security concerns in multiple markets around the world.

Bite will not suspend ties with Huawei as security audits with independent experts have showed no risks so far, state-owned news agency Xinhua cited the Riga-based firm’s Technical Director Jinz Buttens as saying. Huawei and Bite penned a memorandum of understanding in November for the Chinese firm, the world’s largest telecoms equipment maker, to build 5G infrastructure networks and develop a narrowband Internet of Things in Latvia.

The vote of support from Latvia is a minor victory for Huawei, which has had its 5G technology banned in the United States, Australia, Japan and other countries due to data security concerns.

These nations have expressed concern that China’s government reserves the right to require companies to assist with intelligence gathering, and their anxiety is amplified by the fact that Ren Zhengfei, Huawei’s founder, served as a technologist in the Chinese military.

Bite plans to test all available equipment and find the best solution to integrate with its network and provide the best service for customers, Buttens added, saying he has no reason to doubt Huawei’s credibility. He believes the supplier will abide by international standards and uphold responsibility to its customers, partners and the global community.

Editor: James Boynton