For the past week the tech world has been rocked by the news of Google ceasing business ties with Huawei, leaving the future of the company in question.
Aussie telcos have remained silent on the subject, despite continuing to stock the Huawei P30 Pro, among other Huawei devices.
Until today.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/05/huawei-responds-to-googles-ban/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Huawei-410×231.jpg” title=”Huawei Responds To Google’s Ban” excerpt=”Yesterday it was reported that Google, along with a slew of chipmakers, would be suspending its business operations with Huawei. Huawei has now responded to the decision.”]
Google’s announcement was the result of U.S. President Donald Trump signing an executive order that prevents U.S. companies from purchasing or selling telecommunications equipment to foreign companies that have been declared a national security risk.
Huawei had already been named as one such company by the U.S. Department of Commerce several days prior to the signing.
Following the news, Huawei devices remained available to purchase on plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone here in Australia.
Speaking to Gizmodo Australia, a Telstra spokesperson said, “We are in ongoing contact with Google and Huawei and are working with them to ensure no impact or disruption to our customers.”
This assurance from the telco aligns with the statements that were released by Huawei, Google and Android last week.
Despite the ban, these companies have assured the public that all current devices will continue to be supported.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/05/huawei-laptops-quietly-disappear-from-australian-microsoft-store/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/huawei-matebook-x-410×231.jpg” title=”Huawei Laptops Quietly Disappear From Australian Microsoft Store” excerpt=”The Huawei drama continues as laptops made by the Chinese company silently disappeared from Microsoft’s online stores both globally and in Australia.”]
This means that Google-owned apps and the Google Play Store will still be available to users, and that their phones will continue to receive security and operating system updates.
While the U.S. department of commerce has given a 90-day exemption on the ban (to allow for network maintenance and software updates for current customers) it remains to be seen whether this will be extended.
Although Aussies with Huawei phones have nothing to worry about for now – this support won’t extend to future device releases – unless something changes.
As such, the future of the brand here is looking extremely murky.