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Founder Ren Zhengfei says Huawei should learn from Apple – and set higher prices

  • World’s largest telecoms equipment supplier expects higher prices to help ‘maintain good order’ in global market

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Huawei Technologies founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei says the company, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier, will not try to squeeze the global market by lowering prices on its products. Photo: AP

Ren Zhengfei, founder and chief executive of Huawei Technologies, said the company should learn from Apple to set higher prices so that “competitors will be able to survive”, as the Chinese firm remains on the defensive against US accusations that its products could be used for spying.

Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier, has long been criticised for undercutting rivals by offering its products at cheaper prices to win contracts. Now, Huawei is refuting claims that it would sell 5G mobile network gear below market prices.

“We will not try to squeeze the market by lowering our prices,” said Ren, according to a transcript of his interview with CNN in March.

“In spite of all the pressure we are currently under, we still sell our products and solutions at high prices to maintain good order in the market.”

Huawei’s network gear sales to telecoms carriers have come under pressure in recent years as the 4G market has matured and as the US drummed up its campaign against the company, which is accused of supplying equipment that could be used to aid Chinese intelligence activities.

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