Huawei has said that it has long-term commitment to the UK which reflects in company’s move to increase UK workforce by 20%, to over 1,000, by the end of 2013. The company praised UK government for creating an open and transparent business environment.

"Huawei opened its first office in the UK in 2001. Since then we have found the UK to be a free and open market, with an efficient, supportive and transparent government," said Sun Yafang Huawei Chairwoman, while addressing the Global Investment Forum in London on Friday.

"As we work with our customers here, we continue to improve our performance by learning from their professional management and clarity in strategic planning. Today, Huawei has become a strategic partner to the majority of telecom operators in the UK, and we have set up Joint Innovation Labs with the leading operators.’’ When commenting on Huawei’s future investment plan, Madam Sun said, "The UK operation has more than 800 staff and expects to increase this to more than 1,000 by the end of 2013. The company will locate its first global design centre for devices in London."

She said since its arrival in the UK in 2001, Huawei has been assisting the UK in achieving its broadband targets by providing "Zero Wait", ubiquitous ultra-broadband infrastructure to its UK customers.

By May 2012, the company had worked with BT to bring over 10 million homes under fiber coverage. By 2014, two thirds of homes and offices will be connected through fibre. The leading mobile base station technologies Huawei uses for Everything Everywhere and Vodafone’s network modernisation projects provide mobile broadband to the UK.

“As a company, we are proud of our growth and contribution in the UK, we look forward to deeper and even wider partnerships in the future,’’ she said.