© Reuters
–
United Group, which owns Vivacom, is considering replacing some or all of its equipment from Chinese technology giant Huawei, which dominates the telecom’s infrastructure. This could be done with alternative suppliers. while the investment group is trying to comply with calls from the US administration, Reuters reported.
“In previous years, we have had good cooperation with United Group and we hope to continue it in the coming years,” said a Huawei spokeswoman.
Nikos Statopoulos, chairman of the board of directors of United Group, told Reuters: “I think that a gradual and measured transition to something that is more approved by the United States is the right approach. That’s what we’re considering.”
But such a change takes time and costs money, reminds Reuters. “We cannot ignore their desire, but in an ideal world we should also receive financial assistance (from governments) for the transition to new infrastructure, as this will cost us millions of dollars,” Statopoulos said. He is also a partner in BC Partners, the major shareholder in United.
According to the United States, Huawei’s equipment could be used by China for espionage, but the company rejects suspicions and accusations that it could pose a risk to national security. European governments are more cautious in such assessments, as they prefer not to close the door completely to Chinese equipment, and Huawei in particular. According to research company Dell’Oro, last year the Chinese giant remained the leading company with a 31% market share of telecommunications equipment revenue. In addition, the EU has some of the world’s strictest requirements for monitoring the operation of such data equipment, and Huawei says it works according to them.
United, which recently also owns Nova Broadcasting Group, a newspaper publisher and cable internet and television provider, also has a presence in Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and Serbia, mainly in the telecom sector and cable providers. Reuters also reminds that due to the lower prices of Huawei’s equipment, it has been preferred for years in Southeast Europe to that of Nokia or Ericsson.
However, Nokia has built the infrastructure for the A1 5G network.
At the end of October 2020, Bulgaria surprisingly joined the US Clean Network initiative and a coalition of countries and companies committed to protecting their 5G networks from unreliable providers. ”For Washington,“ clean network ”means one thing – no Chinese involvement The United States has even warned its partners that it will not fully share security information with those with Chinese equipment.
–
