Huawei says smartphone owners needn't panic as Spark warns of 'evolving situation'

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

Spark says it has decided to continue selling Huawei smartphones after taking into account reassurances from Huawei and Google over the impact of United States sanctions on the Chinese firm.

But spokeswoman Cassie Arauzo said it was an 'evolving situation' and Spark would be keeping a close watch on relevant information.

'If anything changes we will update our customers as appropriate, including via our social channels, Twitter and Facebook,' she said.

Vodafone says there is still considerable uncertainty about what Google's move to implement US sanctions on Huawei will mean.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vodafone New Zealand advised customers to consider the uncertainty created by Google's implementation of US sanctions on Huawei if they were thinking about buying new smartphones from the Chinese firm.

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But Huawei New Zealand deputy managing director Andrew Bowater said phones that Kiwis had already bought from Huawei and those held in stock by retailers were not impacted by the latest developments in the US, and there was no reason for customers to panic.

2degrees spokesman Mat Bolland said that was also its understanding and 2degrees was continuing to promote Huawei devices in its stores.

'It's all pretty fresh so if further information changes things, we will review that,' he said.

The concerns over Huawei devices arose after Google – the owner of the Android operating system that runs on most smartphones including Huawei's – announced on Monday that it had stopped licensing Android to Huawei in order to comply with US government-ordered sanctions.

The US Commerce Department issued a 90-day stay on Tuesday. US reports said that would mean Huawei would be able to access US software updates and other technology for existing Huawei handsets for another 90 days.

After that, Huawei will retain access to an open source version of Android, but Google's move is expected to make it harder for Huawei to integrate popular Google services into its phones.

Vodafone NZ spokeswoman Meera Kaushik said it was continuing to sell Huawei devices, but added: 'while we await further clarity on new handsets, we recommend customers factor this uncertainty into their purchase decisions'.

'There's still considerable uncertainty about what is going on but our best understanding currently is our existing handsets will continue to have support and access to the Google Play Store and its apps,' she said on Tuesday morning.

Bowater said New Zealanders could have 'every confidence' that their Huawei phones would still work with Google Play and would continue to receive security and Android updates.

'We will continue to support our customers and there is no need to panic or return anything to retailers,' he said.

'It's a shame for New Zealand consumers they've been caught up in this game, but we're working through the long term impact of Google's announcement. The main thing to understand is that the products we have sold and are currently selling are not impacted by this announcement,' he said.

Vodafone NZ used to sell Huawei handsets under its own Vodafone brand, but Kaushik said it had not done so for at least the past five years.

Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said he was seeking advice on whether those with Huawei handsets would be eligible for refunds under the Consumer Guarantees Act.