ZTE, the troubled Chinese telecom network supplier, has petitioned the government for permission to participate in the 5G trials, highlighting the company’s global experience in the new technology.

The request comes at a time when ZTE’s compatriot, Huawei, has managed to squeeze in a berth in the 5G trials that India is carrying out to understand the new technology, its use-cases and potential applications.

ZTE has so far not been invited for the 5G trials, and thus has decided to write to the government on the matter, asking for a chance to showcase its technology and network equipment for 5G which is expected to roll-out in the country somewhere after 2020.

The request to telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan was made by Huawei India’s Corporate Affairs Director, who stated that the company is geared up to showcase its technology.

However, sources said that the government has not yet warmed up to the idea of inviting ZTE. Even Huawei was called after the company made a plea in this regard.

Huawei and ZTE have been in regulatory trouble and the US administration is considering to ban them over allegations of spying. Huawei has already been locked out of the US market, and Australia and New Zealand have blocked it from building 5G networks amid concerns of its possible links with China’s government. Huawei has maintained that the Chinese government has no influence over it.

(Reported TNN)