Officials at Huawei can have a sign of relief, at least for now. The US Commerce Department has temporarily lifted the ban on Huawei which restricts the Chinese smartphone major to buy products from the US companies, such as Qualcomm and Google.
Starting from today 21st May, the temporary suspension of ban is valid for 90 days only.
Huawei received a major blow after Google suspended the license of Android, which eventually restricts Huawei to launch any Android OS powered smartphone worldwide.
Huawei is among 69 companies who were banned by the US but now have a 90-day extension period.
The ban restricts Huawei from buying telecom equipment and components from the US-based companies to manufacture new products unless it has a proper license. However, it’s quite unlikely that Huawei would be granted these license even if it applies for.
After the extension, China-based Huawei can continue to buy all equipment and components from the US companies which are essential to maintain existing network and provide software updates for the next 90 days.
While Google is yet to make its stand clear after the new authorisation, it’s quite likely that the company would be allowed to use Android OS on the existing line up of Huawei and Honor smartphones for the period of next 90 days.
The anticipated move didn’t surprise industry experts as they believe that the sudden crackdown on Huawei by the US is not practical in any means. There are networks, infrastructures and many technical support systems maintained by Huawei; the sudden disconnect with Huawei could result in sudden shut down of those vital resources for private companies as well as governments in many other countries where Huawei has a significant investment and contribution.
The United States has probably realised the fact and the extension is primarily for those private companies and government agencies to work out on an alternative before the possible blackout.
Huawei, however, appears to stay unfazed from the ban. Ren Zhengfei, Founder – Huawei, has said that the US has underestimated the company.
Besides, it is also reported that Huawei is all set to launch the alternative of Android OS, Hongmeng, the new smartphone OS Huawei has been working on since 2012.
