UK debates on Huawei must put the customer first

World
Europe

Editor's Note: Adam Garrie is the director of the UK-based global policy and analysis think tank Eurasia Future and co-host of talk show "The History Boys." The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

It has been revealed that the British government plans to purchase some hardware from Chinese tech company Huawei in order to build the country's first 5G mobile network. For many, this was seen as a rare moment in which London's reported decision was out of step with Washington.

At present, the Trump administration remains adamant that none of its Five Eyes allies purchase Huawei 5G hardware even though Huawei 4G hardware has long been up and running throughout the world, including Europe, without any security or performance problems.

In terms of existing 4G speeds, Britain's average is behind even some of Europe's poorest countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia. And yet, Britain's population is incredibly reliant on mobile data for business and banking issues, entertainment and education.

Because of this, it is imperative that as Britain makes the leap from 4G to 5G, it does so in such a way that benefits the people who rely heavily on fast mobile data for both work and personal activities.

Unfortunately, both British and international media have been far too focused on the foreign relations implications of London's relationship with Huawei even though on a day-to-day basis it will be the ordinary consumer who will benefit from a better mobile network.

A Huawei product stand at an EE telecommunications shop in central London, April 29, 2019. /VCG Photo

While governments like that in Britain and companies like Huawei have a logical interest in a win-win outcome, there is a third party that is missing from this discussion, and that is the consumer.

When it comes to consumer preferences for affordable, reliable and fast 5G service, it is the responsibility of governments that procure or otherwise permit the sale of 5G hardware and software to do so in a manner that gives the population what consumers around the world desire – the best product for the best price. This would be a win-win outcome for consumers.

At present, the only countries offering the kinds of 5G equipment and know-how that will soon be ready for a public rollout are China and the United States. It is thought by most tech experts that at present Chinese products and Huawei's, in particular, are the world leaders when it comes to rolling out a market-ready 5G network.

Because of this, it is neither shocking nor novel that countries in Europe, including the UK, are in discussions with Huawei. What is disappointing is that consumer rights advocates have not been asked to offer their input in what they seek from 5G.

Consumers throughout Europe have been alienated due to a lack of people-centric approaches when it comes to being included in discussions about the future of the technology that will someday be in their hands.

Huawei's production base in Dongguan, China's Guangdong Province, March 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

While Chinese President Xi Jinping Thought advances the advocacy of people-centric solutions to issues that impact all of society, European leaders continue to hide behind an elitist mentality that excludes the people from decision-making processes.

Instead of reducing consumer information to obtuse and bizarre arguments about geopolitics, it would be best for consumers to be directly exposed to information about which 5G products can offer solutions to their real-life problems on a win-win basis.

Huawei 5G technology has already been used in successful remote brain surgery on a human patient. This kind of breakthrough is not only significant to the medical profession, but it is indicative of just how advanced and practically useful Huawei's 5G technology is.

Technology, when applied in appropriate ways, can be an enlightening and liberating force for good in the modern world.

As it is ordinary consumers who seek to gain from 5G technology, surely their needs should be addressed during inter-governmental discussions about 5G upgrades.

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