Advertisement
Singapore
This Week in AsiaEconomics

5G: Why is Samsung cool, Chinese tech brands cold and US brands domineering?

  • A poll finds Samsung is Southeast Asia’s preferred choice of 5G developer, beating US and Chinese rivals such as Huawei
  • Given the potential security ramifications, the race to build Southeast Asia’s 5G networks goes beyond just securing contracts

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
A Samsung 5G sign is displayed at its booth at the 2020 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Samsung was voted Southeast Asia’s preferred choice of 5G developer. Photo: EPA-EFE
Dewey Sim
Samsung is the top choice of 5G telecommunications developer among respondents in a recent poll in Southeast Asia, edging out Chinese and American competitors in a time when world powers are wrestling to make a splash in the 5G space.
Advertisement

The survey of more than 1,300 experts, analysts and business leaders in the region revealed that 39 per cent of them opted for the Korean brand.

A quarter said they had confidence in Chinese telecoms companies including Datang Telecom, Huawei and ZTE Corp, while only 13 per cent selected American brands as their top choice.

Preferred 5G infrastructure developers in Southeast Asia. Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.
Preferred 5G infrastructure developers in Southeast Asia. Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.
Researchers at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, who released the survey on Thursday, said the “battle” to build the region’s 5G internet networks is one that is keenly watched as it was more symbolic in nature than just a contest over lucrative contracts.
Advertisement

“Given its potential security ramifications, the award of the 5G contract can be seen as a vote of confidence and trust in the developer’s country,” said the report, titled ‘The State of Southeast Asia: 2020’.

Advertisement