Ingobert Veith, Vice President and Head of Public Affairs & Communications of Huawei Technologies Deutschland GmbH  

1. Why are you involved as a Berlin Partner?  

We have maintained a presence in Berlin with our capital city office for the past 15 years and have been actively contributing to the city’s digital development for just as long. As a leading global ICT company, we want to contribute our experience and technological expertise wherever the future of digital and modern infrastructure is being shaped.

This is precisely where Berlin Partner provides an important platform. The network brings together businesses, policymakers, and academia, creating concrete opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and joint projects. For us, the partnership is primarily about contributing our international perspective, fostering intercultural exchange, and working together with other stakeholders to further develop Berlin as a leading digital hub.  

2. What is currently driving your company and what are you working on? 

Huawei is one of the world’s leading providers of information and communications technology (ICT), offering solutions across a wide range of fields, including network technology, cloud infrastructure, computing, energy generation and storage solutions, charging infrastructure, and consumer devices such as smartphones and smartwatches.

At present, we are particularly focused on the challenges of digitalization and how we can help shape this transformation in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment. This also includes responding to new regulatory requirements at both the national and European levels. We firmly believe that Germany and Europe will benefit from remaining open and actively shaping the digital world of tomorrow together with a wide range of international partners.

At the same time, we recognize the challenges associated with digitalization, particularly in the field of cybersecurity. For Huawei, this has been a central issue for many years. “Security by Design” is not just a slogan but a fundamental principle guiding the development of all our products. We continuously work to make our solutions both more secure and more sustainable, especially with regard to resource efficiency, recycling, and the entire product lifecycle.

3. What do you value about Berlin as a business location? 

Berlin plays a central role for our company. In November 2011, Huawei became the first Chinese company to establish a representative office in Germany’s capital. Since then, we have felt a strong connection not only to Germany but especially to Berlin.

As the political heart of Germany, Berlin offers us the opportunity to stay closely connected to key developments and decision-making processes. At the same time, it is one of Europe’s most important and international cities and a major center for business, innovation, and digitalization.

Today, we support numerous public and private institutions with high-quality internet and telecommunications solutions, making an important contribution to digitalization and infrastructure expansion across the capital. Our Huawei Flagship Store on Kurfürstendamm has also become part of Berlin’s urban landscape, showcasing our consumer products, from smartphones and laptops to smart wearables, in one of the city’s most prominent locations.

In short, Berlin uniquely combines politics, digital transformation, and international business, making it a location of great strategic importance for Huawei.

4. What makes your company innovative in Berlin? 

Our innovative strength is built on a strong commitment to research and development. More than half of our global workforce is dedicated to R&D, continuously developing new ideas and solutions. Innovation is therefore deeply embedded in Huawei’s DNA.

Huawei currently holds more than 165,000 active granted patents worldwide and has signed over 260 licensing agreements. Since 2006, Huawei has participated in more than 228 research collaborations in Germany involving 54 different institutions. This commitment underscores the central role innovation plays within our company.

At the same time, we view innovation as more than technological advancement alone. We see it as a responsibility to deploy new technologies in ways that create meaningful value and contribute to digital progress. Our products are designed to deliver tangible benefits and support societal and economic development.

For example, we equip numerous public and private institutions across Berlin, including schools, hospitals, and supermarkets, with reliable networking technology. These solutions help ensure efficient operations and the smooth functioning of critical infrastructure.

In addition, we work closely with our customers to provide stable and secure mobile communications while constantly exploring new and improved technological approaches. One example is our recently installed GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) mast at locations in Berlin. Compared to traditional materials, this mast offers significant technical advantages while also delivering sustainability benefits and faster deployment, making it particularly well suited for modern mobile networks such as 5G and future generations of connectivity.

For us, it is also essential that Berlin and Germany maintain a diverse technology ecosystem. We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our customers want choice, whether in manufacturers, products, or broader infrastructure. This diversity is crucial for successful digital transformation because different requirements call for different technologies, systems, and solutions.