Fantastic News for South Africa
Huawei’s South African GM Likun Zhao has confirmed that Huawei users in South Africa won’t be affected by the US trade ban.
What is the US Huawei Trade Ban?
Two months ago, US President Trump stirred the digital world with a restrictive Huawei Ban, on the Chinese telecommunications company. The ban placed an immediate strain on Huawei’s relations with Google and Android, whose operating systems and technology feature on Huawei tech.
Following the social media storm as the public tried to make sense of the type of ban the recent tech world hasn’t seen before, the US announced a three-month reprieve on the ban. Although this grace period gives the company some elbow room, the ban looms less than a month away, and Huawei Users are nervous. ”
Why is everyone so worried about their Huawei phones?
Because Android and Google are US-based companies, many Huawei users have become concerned about whether they would receive future OS updates and whether their phones would continue to function well with the same Google and Android features as before. Where South Africa is concerned, Huawei has fantastic news!
According to Lukin Zhao, speaking on behalf of Huawei in South Africa, “There will be absolutely no impact on devices in South Africa.” The Huawei GM further promised that none of their devices would be affected in terms of Android updates or Google application compatibility. And all the Huawei owners in the country exhale a relieved sigh.
Does Huawei have a future in South Africa?
Zhao also confirmed they have plans to ensure Huawei devices of the future remain as hot as ever in South Africa. Their phased approach includes two plans made to set Huawei users at rest. Their first priority will, according to Zhao, be to “continue to use the whole Android system and the whole Google ecosystem.”
Barring the success of the above plan, Huawei is purported to have their own operating system in the pipelines. Although their developers have been working on the system since 2012, Zhao confirmed that Huawei wishes to continue using Android and Google. According to the Financial Times, this is a choice Google agrees with.
In spite of pressure from Trump, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out in support of Huawei. Ramaphosa said he believed the US government was “unable to imagine what 5G can offer, and now clearly they are jealous that a Chinese company called Huawei has outstripped them.” Our President said he believed that only Huawei could take our country into the 5G era and a world of better technologies through 5G.
Huawei users will not lose Android compatibility on their devices now or ever. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp will continue to function optimally and update into the foreseeable future. We believe the fantastic news that existing Huawei devices in South Africa will always be covered for all Android and Google services, platform updates, and security patches should relieve the concerns of South Africa’s Huawei lovers.
Sources: iol; Business Live;
