Questions and answers about the 5G debate and Huawei’s role

5G is currently the latest mobile communication standard. It is set to gradually replace the current 4G system, known in Germany as LTE. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica and 1 & 1 It has already begun to expand. In 5G networks, data transmission speeds do not only increase – under ideal conditions – until they reach 10 Gbps. Latency, i.e. reaction times, also drops to a few or even a fraction of a second.

This is what makes real-time applications such as self-driving cars or trucks possible in the first place. The delay in data transfer, which is very common with LTE, would be fatal with such offerings.

to reduce latency, The density of the network also increases; So more antennas are required. There is also the option of creating a network of computers for cloud applications near the antennas to increase performance.

A dense 5G network, thanks to its high bandwidth and reliability, can render landline communications obsolete and pave the way for the modern industrial applications or so-called metaverses that large tech companies are currently working on. It is considered as an essential infrastructure for the further digitization of the economy.

2. What is the difference between antenna network and core network?

In cities especially, cell phone antennas are hard to miss these days: rectangular, mostly gray boxes are being installed on more and more rooftops. The mobile phone establishes a wireless connection with them in order to transmit data or speech. These antennas and their direct infrastructure make up the so-called antenna access network for the mobile phone provider. From there, the data reaches the heart chamber of the network via optical and radio fiber connections: the kernel.

In this core network, spread over several sites, data is processed and linked to the central frameworks of the respective provider and access to the Internet. There is, for example, a mailbox or switching servers. Due to its central importance, the core network has a special need for protection; Attackers can do the most damage here.

However, which parts of the antenna network actually belong and which ones belong to the core network are not always clearly defined. Many mobile network providers are still currently using their old 4G core network for 5G. In the medium term, both systems will need to be disconnected in order to take full advantage of the potential of 5G.

3. In which countries is Huawei already banned?

Australia and New Zealand have started: early in 2018, both countries decided to ban Huawei’s supply of their 5G networks with technology. The United States took up this issue. Under President Donald Trump, they have urged their European allies to build 5G networks without Chinese components.

The campaign sparked a lot of controversy, but it had an impact. In 2020, Great Britain excluded Huawei from expanding the network. France has released rules that may mean Huawei will only play a secondary role in the future. Canada also opposed Chinese network technology.

The federal government has debated this for a long time, but it passed a law last year allowing essential ingredients to be banned. This applies, for example, if the use of the critical component is contrary to the “security policy objectives of the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union or NATO” or if the manufacturerdirectly or indirectly under the control of the government, including other public authorities or the armed forces of a third country.”

4. What alternatives are available to Huawei?

Huawei’s main competitors come from Europe: the Finnish company Nokia and the Swedish group Ericsson. In the USA, these two companies mainly supply components for 5G networks.

In Germany, Ericsson in particular has benefited from criticism from Huawei. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica rely on Swedes components for their 5G core networks. Telekom is also working with the American provider Mavenir.

1 & 1, which builds a particularly modern network, the so-called open operating network, has joined forces with Rakuten from Japan. 1&1 founder Ralph Domermuth likes to stress that he’s building a network without Chinese technology, which has earned him goodwill for his plans in Berlin, for example.

With the Open-Ran network, mobile operators are less dependent than before on individual manufacturers. More tasks than before are handled by software rather than hardware. This increases performance and flexibility. However, Open Ran is not without controversy.

Critics point out that Chinese companies are participating in the Open-Ran alliance, which wants to promote new technology standards – including those Which is on the US sanctions list.

5. What does Huawei have to do with the Chinese country?

Huawei says about itself that it is a private company owned by its employees. However, the IT group has a special relationship with the Chinese government and the Communist Party. Founder Ren Zhengfei served in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army for nine years. Time and again, representatives of the Chinese government have called on the company to participate in the expansion of 5G abroad, sometimes with explicit threats – for example against Germany.

In addition, according to “Wall Street Journal” calculations, Huawei is said to have received about 75 billion financial support from the Chinese state. Huawei denies receiving special government treatment.

In addition, all companies in China are subject to the National Intelligence Law, which stipulates that every organization must cooperate with national intelligence services. Unlike in Germany or the United States, for example, companies in China cannot defend themselves against this obligation to cooperate in court. US companies have accused Huawei of industrial espionage for years, and at least one case has resulted in a conviction.

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