Huawei says US pressure on Brazil threatens long delays in 5G roll-out

Brazil could suffer years of delay in deploying 5G and higher costs if it succumbs to US pressure to snub Huawei, an executive from the Chinese company warns

The comments by Huawei’s director of cybersecurity and solutions come as the Trump administration steps up efforts to limit Huawei’s role in Brazil’s 5G network

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Published: 10:49am, 8 Jul 2020Updated: 10:49am, 8 Jul 2020

A Huawei Technologies executive warned that Brazil could suffer years of delay in deploying a 5G telecoms network and higher costs if it succumbs to mounting US pressure to snub the Chinese equipment supplier.

His remarks come as the Trump administration steps up efforts to limit Huawei’s role in rolling out high-speed, fifth-generation technology in Latin America’s largest economy. US Ambassador Todd Chapman has even suggested Washington is willing to fund the purchase of gear from other suppliers for Brazil.

Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro said last month that 5G deployment would have to meet national sovereignty, information and data security requirements. A long-time China sceptic, Bolsonaro has adopted a less abrasive stance toward Beijing since taking office in 2019, although he remains a close Trump ally.

Curtailing Huawei’s role “will only delay 5G deployment in Brazil and ultimately impact prices for carriers, regional internet service providers and customers,” Marcelo Motta, Huawei’s director of cybersecurity and solutions, said in an interview late on Monday.

Brazilian operators have built significant parts of their infrastructure using Huawei’s equipment as it has strengthened its presence in the country over the last 22 years.

“In places where there have been restrictions on Huawei we have seen prices rise two to five times, often making business unfeasible for operators,” Motta said.