Huawei dominates MWC Mobile Technology Show

Barcelona hosts the annual MWC industry show, known as the Mobile World Congress, where mobile gadget makers showcase new devices and telecom industry executives explore the latest networking devices and software.

Tech giant Huawei, at the head of other Chinese companies, is attending the world's largest wireless expo in an effort to showcase its strength even under sanctions.

With 150 Chinese companies attending the show, Huawei has the largest presence at the event, occupying an almost huge showroom at the Fira Convention Center in Barcelona.

"Despite US sanctions, we are alive, healthy and doing well," Danish telecommunications industry consultant John Strand said in a company message.

In January 2023, the US expanded sanctions on the company by imposing new export restrictions on less advanced technology components. In the meantime, Huawei has maintained its status as the world's number one networking equipment manufacturer, thanks to sales in China and other markets where Washington has been less successful in persuading governments to boycott the company.

Huawei plans to show the world that it is moving away from the production of network equipment - hidden equipment such as base stations and antennas that connect mobile devices around the world - and becoming a one-stop technology provider, Strand said.

The company is reinventing itself by providing hardware and software for cargo ports, self-driving cars, factories and other industries it hopes are less vulnerable to Washington.
Huawei also makes smartphones, but sales outside of China have plummeted after Google blocked maps, YouTube and other services that are typically preinstalled on Android devices.

"Huawei's consumer brand has failed in Europe," said Thomas Husson, chief analyst at Forrester Research.

At MWC, Huawei may well be announcing new consumer smartphones and new consumer devices, but the brand has lost momentum and these announcements are primarily aimed at high-growth markets outside the US and Western Europe.

See also: Qualcomm and Android phone makers are developing a satellite message feature.