How China is Taking Control of Worldwide Connectivity

 

At different times of the day, in random locations along the corridors made by brightly illuminated stands showcasing networking equipment or introducing mobility startups, circular crowds of suited spectators spontaneously develop in Hall 1 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. One can find a pair of shiny robot canines chasing each other, rolling over, and begging by following the eyes of the gathered spectators.

It's difficult to remain unmoved at that point given humanity's insatiable desire for ever-higher technical aspirations. Additionally, despite being adorable, the dogs' eerie silence makes it difficult not to wish they made more commotion.

Speed: Unleashing the Future Today

The biggest mobile technology expo in the world has as its slogan "Velocity — Unleashing Tomorrow Today." It is clearly intended to conjure up images of global companies and consumers hurtling towards a future of digital everything, propelled by lightning-fast 5G connections or robotic quadcopedes.

But among the more tangible items released at the MWC are the robodogs from the maker Unitree. Compared to previous fairs, there haven't been as many global product launches; in some instances, a "global launch" in this context refers to a product being introduced for the first time outside of China.

The Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, two of Xiaomi's top devices, are among them. Xiaomi wants to compete with top-tier manufacturers like Apple and Samsung during this eagerly anticipated post-COVID restrictions era.

Market Fronts in the US-China Conflict

However, the actual conflict is hidden from view during the event. It would be an understatement to say that the US-China tech rivalry has hovered over MWC 2023. Chinese companies' disproportionate attendance at a mobile tech fair in the center of Europe sends a message to Americans about their willingness to continue expanding into international markets in the face of rivalry and tension with Washington over security issues.

Washington has imposed ever-tighter restrictions on the Chinese tech behemoth Huawei in recent years, cutting off its access to vital supplies like semiconductors and machinery for chip manufacturing. The US government ceased granting US businesses export licenses to Huawei a few weeks ago.

Dependence on Europe

According to a survey by the Danish telecom consulting firm Strand Consult, close to 60% of Germany's 5G networks use Chinese technology.

Additionally present at the MWC was the company's founder, John Strand, who has long expressed his disapproval of Europe's decision to include Chinese components in crucial infrastructure, particularly given that China is a systemic rival.

It was inevitable that a story about a globally linked digital world would highlight real-world divisions, including geopolitical ones. But perhaps the true purpose of the Mobile World Congress, beyond serving as a showcase for new gadgets, is to elevate these debates even further in the public eye.

The future of connectivity and who gets to create it impacts us all, even though the 80,000 attendees of the MWC are primarily device manufacturers, network equipment providers, and telecommunications sector representatives.