Huawei said to introduce world’s first 5G TV amid increased security scrutiny of its products
- The Chinese telecoms gear maker’s 5G TV will have an ultra-high-definition 8K display
Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier and China’s biggest smartphone brand, plans to launch the first 5G-ready television this year, according to a report by Nikkei Asian Review, amid increased scrutiny by the US and its economic allies over the security of the company’s products.
The 5G TV, which will have an ultra-high-definition 8K display, would be the first of its kind in the world, enabling Huawei to challenge the likes of Samsung Electronics and Apple in the premium segment of the global consumer electronics market, according to the report, which cited sources familiar with the plan.
The report said the Huawei TV’s 5G module will connect to upcoming next-generation mobile networks, which can be about 100 times faster than existing 4G systems, and allow a user to quickly download data-heavy content, such as virtual reality programmes and 360-degree videos that allow viewers to watch a scene in every direction.
In response to a request for comment, a Huawei spokesman referred to a previous public statement by Shao Yang, chief strategy officer of the company’s consumer business group, who said there was no timeline for introducing a 5G TV and that such a launch would not happen in the first half of this year. Shao also said Huawei was still exploring whether the company should make its own TV sets or collaborate with an existing manufacturer in that industry.
The report from Nikkei Asian Review comes amid the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to get Huawei’s 5G gear banned in mobile networks around the world over alleged security concerns. Huawei has strenuously and repeatedly denied accusations that its products pose a security risk.
Despite that US pressure, Huawei has already secured 40 contracts to build and operate 5G mobile networks around the world, according to rotating chairman Ken Hu Houkun, who spoke last month during the company’s Global Analyst Summit at its headquarters in Shenzhen.