Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, recently announced the establishment of its first telecoms Research and Development (R&D) centre in South Africa. This new development seeks to assist in positioning South Africa's telecoms technology innovation drive to be on par with the global trends.
Huawei will collaborate with mobile and fixed-line operators as well as third parties to generate marketing analysis, and ensure service innovation and solution design, to address crucial telecoms challenges in South Africa and its neighbouring countries. Huawei's customer-centric approach is the motivation to continuously create an environment where innovation and development is encouraged. Presently, over 43% of the company's 87 502 component is engaged in research and development.
South Africa's Minister of Communications, Gen Sphiwe Nyanda, said. “The establishment of the first telecommunications Research and Development facility in South Africa marks an important milestone to the rapid advancement of the telecommunications technology in this country.”
Through this new facility, Huawei will import global telecommunications technology innovations to South Africa and further engage with its global experts to meet the requirements of the country's telecoms market and thus discover a new way of rendering services to local operators.
Paul Wu, CEO for Huawei South Africa, said: “Our Research and Development Centres are the engine of our business. We're looking forward to bringing our international expertise to pioneer local, customised solutions to South Africa's telecommunications industry. The formation of our Training Centre in 2008 is testimony to Huawei's commitment to providing our clients with in-depth and comprehensive training in the latest technology. We regard the establishment of Research and Development Centre as a continuation of this growth, and keenly anticipate servicing South Africa's vibrant and growing telecommunications sector.”
Huawei's R&D facilities are present in various locations worldwide, namely - the US (Silicon Valley & Dallas), Russia (Moscow), Sweden (Stockholm), Nigeria (Lagos), India (Bangalore) and China (Beijing, Shanghai Nanjing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Chengdu). South Africa's R&D centre is the 16th globally and the second on the continent following another launch in Nigeria recently.
South Africa is widely acknowledged as the African continent's telecommunications hub, and with the establishment of Huawei's R&D centre, this position is sure to strengthened. Since it's establishment in 2008, the Huawei SA Training Centre has already trained 300 people from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C. There is no doubt that the R&D Centre will continue on this encouraging path, and play a critical role in ensuring that South Africa's vibrant telecommunications industry reaches world-class standards.
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