Thailand launches Huawei 5G test bed, even as U.S. urges allies to bar Chinese gear

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

A Huawei 5G device is pictured outside an exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Friday launched a Huawei Technologies 5G test bed, even as the United States urges its allies to bar the Chinese telecoms giant from building next-generation mobile networks.

 

Huawei, the world's top producer of telecoms equipment and second-biggest maker of smartphones, has been facing mounting international scrutiny amid fears China could use its equipment for espionage, a concern the company says is unfounded.

 

The 5G test bed in Thailand, the United States' oldest ally in Asia, will be Huawei's first in Southeast Asia.

 

Thailand's cooperation with Huawei on the test bed does not mean it is not concerned about security issues, Minister of Digital Economy Pichet Durongkaveroj told Reuters at the launch.

 

"We keep a close watch on the allegations worldwide. However, this 5G test bed project is a testing period for the country," Pichet added. "We can make observations which will be useful to either confirm or disconfirm the allegations."

 

Pichet was speaking at the test site in Chonburi, the heart of the Thai military government's $45 billion economic project - the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)- about 90 km southeast of Bangkok. Vendors like Nokia, Ericsson and Thai telecoms operators have also set up 5G labs at the site.

 

Huawei, which gets nearly half of its revenue from outside China, says it has secured more than 30 commercial 5G contracts globally. But it has not yet signed a 5G contract in Thailand.

 

Huawei is in talks with telecoms operators, such as Advanced Info Service Pcl and TRUE, to secure local partnerships ahead of a national rollout scheduled for December 2020, industry sources with knowledge of the matter said.

 

Asked if the United States had reached out to Thailand about barring Huawei, Pichet said: "I have no knowledge of that".

 

U.S. embassy spokesperson in Bangkok said the United States "advocates for secure telecoms networks and supply chains that are free from suppliers subject to foreign government control or undue influence that poses risks of unauthorised access and malicious cyber activity".

 

"We routinely urge allies and partners to consider such risks and exercise similar vigilance in ensuring the security of their own telecoms networks and supply chains, including when awarding contracts," the spokesperson added.

 

Huawei representatives at the test bed site declined to comment as they were not authorised to speak to media.

Ties between the United States and Thailand have cooled since the Thai military took power in a 2014 coup. Relations between Bangkok and Beijing, on the other hand have, warmed in recent years as evident from a pick up in defence trade and Chinese investment in the Southeast Asia nation.

 

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Huawei has previously set up a cloud data centre worth $22.5 million in Thailand's EEC, a centrepiece of the government's policy to boost growth in the country that has struggled to attract foreign investors besides the Chinese.

Alibaba, Tencent, Kingsoft and JD.com have also pledged to invest in the EEC.

 

This stands in stark contrast to the intense scrutiny being faced by Chinese investment in other parts of the world amid a crippling Sino-U.S. trade war.

 

Reuters reported exclusively on Jan. 30 that the European Commission was considering proposals that would ban Huawei from 5G networks, but that work was at an early stage.

 

For Thailand, security concerns over Huawei's equipment come second to its competitive pricing versus that by U.S. firms, said Pranontha Titavunno, Chairman of the Information Technology Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries.

 

"We don't think about it because their products are decent and affordable," Pranontha told Reuters.

 

"There are always surveillance concerns when it comes to China ... But Thailand doesn't really have anything exciting that might be of interest to Beijing."

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Himani Sarkar)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-08

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

There are always surveillance concerns when it comes to China

Unheard of in the US of course....

Well Thailand doesn't have too much to worry about from the point of industrial espionage, what on earth would Huawei steal, the recipe for som tam ??

Might get rid of the Chinese sooner than expected.

The only reason why US is putting so much pressure on them is because:

1. Its a potentially huge market not only from mobile devices. US wants its companies do dominate that market. 

2. Chinese are way ahead of the US there in terms of technology. 

3. Can't steal data for NSA, FBI, or at least make it harder. 

 

1 hour ago, sup3r1or said:

The only reason why US is putting so much pressure on them is because:

1. Its a potentially huge market not only from mobile devices. US wants its companies do dominate that market. 

2. Chinese are way ahead of the US there in terms of technology. 

3. Can't steal data for NSA, FBI, or at least make it harder. 

 

Well, there's that other little fly in the ointment - violation of the embargo on Iran's quest for the nuclear bomb. 

1 hour ago, sup3r1or said:

The only reason why US is putting so much pressure on them is because:

1. Its a potentially huge market not only from mobile devices. US wants its companies do dominate that market. 

2. Chinese are way ahead of the US there in terms of technology. 

3. Can't steal data for NSA, FBI, or at least make it harder. 

 

Not entirely true. Ericsson is an undisputed leader when it comes to 5G technology, in fact supplying 55% of US market. Nokia is a close second. Don't forget that GSM cell network was an European invention, and US were rather late taking it up.

 

And the security concerns with Chinese networking products are not much overstated. The governments know more than they let out.

This 5G technology (millimetre waves) is potentially EXTREMELY damaging to human and animal health. It should NEVER be permitted to go ahead. Scientific studies have shown that it can cause damage to the cells and also to the body's ability to uptake oxygen. Living surrounded by 5G will be like being in a constant microwave oven. It is madness to go ahead with this. It is enviro-pollution of the worst kind (and as if Thailand did not already have enough of that!).

But since when has human health been a concern - when there is money and power (governmental snooping on everyone via this technology) involved?!

There are many warning articles on the dangers of 5G. Here is just one:

https://es-ireland.com/5g-5th-generation-greater-dangers/

 

Edited February 8, 20197 yr by Eligius

give the thai govt enough financial incentive and they will do what ever china wants, security is the last thing on their minds

33 minutes ago, Eligius said:

This 5G technology (millimetre waves) is potentially EXTREMELY damaging to human and animal health. It should NEVER be permitted to go ahead. Scientific studies have shown that it can cause damage to the cells and also to the body's ability to uptake oxygen. Living surrounded by 5G will be like being in a constant microwave oven. It is madness to go ahead with this. It is enviro-pollution of the worst kind (and as if Thailand did not already have enough of that!).

But since when has human health been a concern - when there is money and power (governmental snooping on everyone via this technology) involved?!

There are many warning articles on the dangers of 5G. Here is just one:

https://es-ireland.com/5g-5th-generation-greater-dangers/

 

I suppose it's about the time you make your own Alu foil hat, or maybe a full suit.... But don't forget to ground it wherever you go....

3 hours ago, SpaceKadet said:

I suppose it's about the time you make your own Alu foil hat, or maybe a full suit.... But don't forget to ground it wherever you go....

Gulp, you obviously have not done enough research on the subject to be ridiculing anyone. ????

I doubt if Thailand considers the US to be an ally anymore.

And many other western countries are coming to the same conclusion.

Go USA. 

What a joke. Thailand getting 5G tech and can't even get an online 90 reporting system working right across the country. Besides, I like how they call Thailand a 'Test Bed'. Isn't there a lot of reports going around about 5G causing cancer and destroying your immune system. Maybe the Chinese want to work out the harmful bugs on the Thai's knowing they don't know any better? I sure wouldn't want to be living next to one of those 5G towers.

 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

There are always surveillance concerns when it comes to China ... But Thailand doesn't really have anything exciting that might be of interest to Beijing."

Brutally honest with that one .. 

 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

For Thailand, security concerns over Huawei's equipment come second to its competitive pricing versus that by U.S. firms, said Pranontha Titavunno, Chairman of the Information Technology Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries.

 

"We don't think about it because their products are decent and affordable," Pranontha told Reuters.

Sino assimilation continues unhindered .. 

4 hours ago, fullcave said:

Gulp, you obviously have not done enough research on the subject to be ridiculing anyone. ????

Hate to say it, but... do you have any peer reviewed " Scientific studies " to qualify your statement.

Also, the supposed killer microwave radiation would affect everyone, the people that supposedly spy on you too.... or do they wear their Alu hats at all times? You're already inundated by the all the HF radiation from all the TV and telcoms sats....

 

And don't get me as ignorant as you seem to have. I'm old radar techie, we used to connect a few turns of copper wire and connecting it to a light bulb. Then stick it in front of an working radar and see it light up...  and I'm proud to say I still have my balls intact!

The usual 20% lower in quality, but 40 % lower in price.      

I buy Chinese stuff all the time, as long as my life doesn't depend on it.  

15 hours ago, webfact said:

For Thailand, security concerns over Huawei's equipment come second to its competitive pricing versus that by U.S. firms, said Pranontha Titavunno, Chairman of the Information Technology Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries.

 

"We don't think about it because their products are decent and affordable," Pranontha told Reuters.

Yes, not thinking is very common in Thailand. Anyway we all know the Thais generally don't care about safety at all, other than printing big "Safety First" posterboards. 

6 hours ago, vinegarbase said:

What a joke. Thailand getting 5G tech and can't even get an online 90 reporting system working right across the country. Besides, I like how they call Thailand a 'Test Bed'. Isn't there a lot of reports going around about 5G causing cancer and destroying your immune system. Maybe the Chinese want to work out the harmful bugs on the Thai's knowing they don't know any better? I sure wouldn't want to be living next to one of those 5G towers.

You wouldn't even know it if you were....they ain't towers

16 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Unheard of in the US of course....

and your point is, all nations are concerned about other nations surveillance, they all do it... yes, but also have the duty to protect they own national interests, your comment shows little understanding.

3 hours ago, SpaceKadet said:

Hate to say it, but... do you have any peer reviewed " Scientific studies " to qualify your statement.

Also, the supposed killer microwave radiation would affect everyone, the people that supposedly spy on you too.... or do they wear their Alu hats at all times? You're already inundated by the all the HF radiation from all the TV and telcoms sats....

 

And don't get me as ignorant as you seem to have. I'm old radar techie, we used to connect a few turns of copper wire and connecting it to a light bulb. Then stick it in front of an working radar and see it light up...  and I'm proud to say I still have my balls intact!

:and I'm proud to say I still have my balls intact!" but do they still work... we, in the industry know damn well the damage microwaves can do, just look at your microwave oven, and the reason for the metal screen on the door, as for RF towers, the radiation is not that great, unless you are very close, or near but for an extended period of time, the dangers have been know for a long time

5 hours ago, SpaceKadet said:

I'm old radar techie, we used to connect a few turns of copper wire and connecting it to a light bulb. Then stick it in front of an working radar and see it light up...  and I'm proud to say I still have my balls intact!

In fact they are glowing dimly at the other end of the room as he types this! 

????

19 hours ago, webfact said:

We don't think about it because their products are decent and affordable,

Thailand's Motto.

Does Thailand care?

 

We're talking MONEY here!

It's all about keeping the monopoly.

Teslstra comms company in Australia is the biggest rip off cheating company but they advertise on Australia tv like they are the bees knees. Huawei are angels compared to Oz companies

 

Leave Huawei alone.

On 2/8/2019 at 1:20 PM, davehowden said:

Well Thailand doesn't have too much to worry about from the point of industrial espionage, what on earth would Huawei steal, the recipe for som tam ??

Nothing to steal but might give the junta greater capabilities when it comes to spying on its citizens and immigrants

5G will kill human beings.. Gosh..when will Thai people learn? Expect tons of cancer and death.. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Bkkthebest said:

5G will kill human beings.. Gosh..when will Thai people learn? Expect tons of cancer and death.. 

 

 

Even if it did, like cigarette smoking. Don't worry about it.

 

16 hours ago, Prissana Pescud said:

I doubt if Thailand considers the US to be an ally anymore.

And many other western countries are coming to the same conclusion.

Go USA. 

"other western countries?"  In what way is Thailand a Western country. And, btw, I think you have your formulation is backward. It is the US that no longer considers Thailand an ally. The US should probably just abrogate the treaty. Thailand, like Laos and Cambodia, is well on the way to being a Chinese colony. As for diplomatic concerns, Thailand is a backwater to the US. This country hasn't been an important posting since the Vietnam War. 

5 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Thailand, like Laos and Cambodia, is well on the way to being a Chinese colon

It's looking like that, but not in our lifetime, nor Australia. Thank goodness.

19 minutes ago, Bkkthebest said:

5G will kill human beings.. Gosh..when will Thai people learn? Expect tons of cancer and death.. 

 

 

They're used to it, think traffic accidents....