Chinese firm offers to help in 5G rollout

A Chinese technology giant has expressed interest in supporting 5G rollout in Pakistan by sharing its expertise to enhance social sector development and economic growth in the country.

Responding to The Express Tribune queries at the Huawei Cloud Middle East and Africa 2022 roundtable in Dubai on Monday, Huawei Vice President of Global Communications Karl Song said that alongside many other nations, Pakistan was also building a 5G network and the company offered to provide Chinese expertise and support to the country. “Cellular operators in Pakistan can ensure smooth and efficient 5G networks by using our capabilities given that China has over 1.5 million 5G users,” he said.

He was of the view that Chinese expertise would prove vital for a swift 5G rollout across Pakistan. Terming 5G networks crucial for ramping up Pakistan’s economic growth, he said that the younger generation as well as the industry was looking for high-speed, secure and reliable internet connectivity. Song stressed that China was leading the deployment of 5G in the business-tobusiness (B2B) segment and industries and was keen to help Pakistan in that regard.

Citing examples, he added that Beijing managed to create integrated teams for different sectors such as coal mining, ports, logistics and transport. “We have several operating systems for coal mining operation and now we are implementing them in the Chinese market,” he said. “They can also be shared with our customers and partners in Pakistan.”

Highlighting the importance of Pakistani market in Huawei’s business strategy, he said that the country was an important market for the firm because its IT sector was booming on the back of smooth adoption by the younger generation. Quoting United Nations Development Programme’s forecasts about the growing percentage of youth in Pakistan, he noted that the ratio of young people was expected to swell by 2050.