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FCC proposal would ban some US telecoms from using Huawei, ZTE gear
The US government might not be content with blacklisting Huawei and otherwise making it clear that Chinese wireless companies are personas non grata. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has put forward a proposal that would forbid Universal Service Fund recipients from buying equipment from companies deemed to be a "national security threat," including China's Huawei and ZTE. Moreover, carriers who already have that supposedly threatening gear would be required to remove it. The FCC might even offer "financial assistance" to networks to help them switch to other suppliers.
ZTE revives its US hopes with the Axon 10 Pro
ZTE is making its way back to the US smartphone market with a flagship model, which could rival other relatively affordable premium devices like the OnePlus 7 Pro. The Chinese manufacturer has released the Axon 10 Pro in the country today -- its first huge phone launch in the US since it was slapped with sanctions a few years ago. The company debuted another smartphone in the US earlier this year, but it was a $99 model called R2 for Visible, the prepaid wireless brand owned by Verizon.
Trump declares 'national emergency' to make way for Huawei ban (updated)
The US government now has some pretext for outright bans on doing business with Chinese telecom firms like Huawei and ZTE. President Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency banning sales and use of telecom equipment that poses "unacceptable" risks to national security, including critical infrastructure and the online economy. "Foreign adversaries" are exploiting more and more security holes through communications tech, Trump argued, and there were "potentially catastrophic effects" if this behavior went unanswered.
MIT suspends its research partnerships with Huawei and ZTE
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is putting its funding and research ties with Huawei and ZTE on hold due to US investigations against the Chinese companies. The university will also add extra layers of scrutiny to projects and funding linked with China, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
ZTE's all-screen Axon S phone could slide to hide its side cameras
The quest to create all-screen phones has led to some unusual camera designs, but ZTE's ideas might just take the cake. Notebook Italia appears to have leaked details of two phones, the Axon S and Axon V, that would go to great lengths to avoid notches or cutouts. The Axon S (above) would reportedly tuck both its two front and three rear cameras into a sideways slider running the entire height of the phone. Even the ZTE branding would stay hidden until you're ready to take a photo. This design would make sense for many outward-facing photos, although your selfies might be slightly askew.
US senators propose new bill to keep ZTE on a leash
Last year, the US Senate abandoned its attempts to block the President's deal with ZTE that effectively ended trade sanctions against the Chinese firm. That doesn't mean American lawmakers stopped keeping a close eye on the company, though. A group of Senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties has introduced a bill that would prevent US companies from working with ZTE again if it violates US laws and its agreement with the Trump administration.
How screwed is Huawei?
After years of public mistrust, the US government has finally, officially laid out its cases against tech giant Huawei. The Chinese company stands accused of a laundry list crimes ranging from wire fraud to trade-secret theft to violating Iranian sanctions to obstruction of justice — all told, we're looking at 23 charges across two states. (Naturally, the company denies allegations of wrongdoing.) And now that the US government has made its claims against Huawei we're left with one weighty question: Just how screwed is this company, exactly?
US bills would ban exports to Chinese telecoms that violate sanctions
American politicians want to crack down further on Chinese telecoms like Huawei and ZTE. Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have introduced bills that would order the President to impose export bans on Chinese telecoms found to violate US export and sanctions laws. Companies like Huawei and ZTE are a "growing threat to American national security," according to co-sponsor Rep. Mike Gallagher, and they should face the same punishment that ZTE faced before its reprieves.
New Zealand blocks wireless carrier from using Huawei equipment
New Zealand officials have blocked a major telecom carrier in the country from using Huawei equipment in its upcoming 5G mobile network, the New York Times reports. The company, Spark, said in a statement that New Zealand's Director-General of the Government Communications Security Bureau believed using Huawei gear would "raise significant national security risks," a sentiment that mirrors what has already been expressed by US and Australian governments. The US government in particular has been vocal about its concern that Huawei has connections to the Chinese government that make its products major national security risks.
ZTE's latest phones promise tall screens for under $200
You don't have too many choices in the US when it comes to tall-ratio smartphones on a budget -- the Moto E5 series is on the short list. ZTE believes it can expand your options a little further. It's launching the Blade Max View (above) and Blade Max 2s (below), both of which offer 2,160 x 1,080 LCD screens, decent 1.4GHz Snapdragon 435 processors and 32GB of expandable storage for $200 and $180 respectively. The Max View is definitely the better value of the two, as it touts dual 16MP/2MP rear cameras and stereo speakers where the Max 2s carries a single 13MP rear camera and mono sound.
Here are all the new phones at IFA that you won't get in the US
I know what you're thinking: Why should you care about a bunch of phones you might never get to buy? Well, in addition to feeding your FOMO, it's also worth learning about technologies available elsewhere in the world. Things that first showed up abroad (think: all-screen phones) have a habit of showing up stateside after some time. There are already a few phones in other countries that offer advanced features like in-screen fingerprint readers that we're expecting to arrive in the US soon. Granted, the phones we saw at IFA weren't groundbreaking flagship devices, but it's still worth noting what we're missing out on. Fasten your seatbelts, close your tray tables and return your seats to the upright position and join me on this journey around the world.
ZTE's next flagship phone fine-tunes video from any source
It's been a crazy year for ZTE. It was lumped together with fellow Chinese tech giant Huawei in a Congressional bill in January that sought to ban government agencies from working with the pair, and again when US intelligence agencies warned users against buying devices from either. ZTE was later slammed with an export ban that prevented it from conducting business in America, and only recently came to a settlement agreement with the Commerce Department. The company is now under a ten-year probation period, and the ban has been suspended, just in time for ZTE to scramble to present a new phone at IFA 2018.
Huawei and ZTE banned from supplying 5G tech to Australia
Australia is distancing itself from Huawei and ZTE, imposing a ban much more detrimental to the companies' business than the one the US handed down. According to Financial Times and Reuters, the country has banned the Chinese telecoms from supplying local mobile carriers with 5G tech equipment due to national security concerns. Huawei has confirmed the move in a statement posted on Twitter, where it also said that it's been "safely and securely deliver[ing] wireless technology in [Australia] for close to 15 years."
US bans government personnel from using Huawei and ZTE devices
US government employees, contractors and agencies might have to ditch most of their Huawei and ZTE tech. The President has signed the Defense Authorization Act into law, and part of it is a ban on devices and equipment used to route or view user data made by the two companies and some other Chinese manufacturers. Government contractors can still use components that don't handle user data in any way. But since they still have to get rid of existing parts and devices that do, the law includes a directive for agencies to prioritize funding for businesses that have to replace their equipment.
Democrats don't want candidates to use ZTE and Huawei phones
Huawei might have taken Apple's place as the second largest smartphone seller in the world, but that doesn't mean everyone's a fan now. According to CNN, the Democratic National Committee has warned candidates running in November against using devices from Huawei and fellow Chinese manufacturer ZTE. DNC chief security officer Bob Lord apparently wrote a warning for members that says: "It's very important that party and campaign workers not use ZTE or Huawei devices, even if the price is low or free."
Senate gives up on ZTE sanctions
Though a number of US senators have been seeking to block President Trump's deal with ZTE that lets the Chinese firm circumvent sanctions put into place by US officials earlier this year, they have now backed off on that effort. In June, the Senate passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act that reinstated sanctions against ZTE and would effectively nullify the president's and Commerce Department's deal with the firm. However, the House of Representatives passed a version of the bill without such language and the two chambers have been working on a compromise bill that marries each of their versions. Senators have now decided to abandon the ZTE sanctions in exchange for more oversight for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).
US lifts ZTE export ban
ZTE has another chance at redemption. The US Commerce Department has lifted the export ban on the Chinese mobile giant now that it has met all the terms required to get a full reprieve. Officials confirmed that ZTE had put $400 million in escrow on top of other requirements, including the payment of a $1 billion fine, replacing key leadership and accepting outside monitors that will ensure it honors US export controls.
ZTE clears last major hurdle to lifting US export ban
ZTE is almost done meeting the US' conditions for lifting an export ban... almost. The Chinese mobile and telecom gianthas signed an escrow agreement with the Commerce Department that represents the last major hurdle before it can get back to business as usual. As soon as ZTE deposits $400 million into the escrow, the US will let ZTE use American exports under a 10-year suspended denial order. The company's temporary waiver ends on August 1st, so you can expect the money to arrive within a couple of weeks.
ZTE replaces leadership to meet US demands
ZTE is fulfilling one of the US' key demands in its attempt to avoid a renewed export ban. Days before a 30-day deadline, the Chinese tech giant has replaced a whole suite of executives, including its CEO. All of the new leaders are company veterans, including new chief exec Xu Ziyang (who has been with ZTE since 1998). The move comes a few days after the company took on a new board of directors to meet American requirements, which also include paying a $1 billion fine, putting $400 million in escrow and accepting a US-chosen corporate monitor.
US says ZTE can resume limited business while sanctions are debated
The Trump administration has handed ZTE another lifeline, Bloomberg reports, allowing it to resume certain business activities while US lawmakers decide how to deal with the company going forward. In April, the US Commerce Department banned ZTE from working with US companies after the company shipped US-made parts to Iran and North Korea -- in violation of US trade sanctions -- and then lied about giving the executives involved with those deals large bonuses. Though the Trump administration is looking to offer ZTE a reprieve, some members of Congress would like to see certain sanctions stay in place. And while the two sides try to work that out, ZTE will be allowed to keep providing some services.
