Huawei Technologies
Huawei Technologies is the world's second-largest telecommunications equipment provider, operating in over 140 countries. More than one-third of the world's population uses Huawei technology, and Huawei works with 45 of the world's top 50 telecommunications operators.
In 2004, Huawei Technologies established its first Australian office, with about 20 staff, in Sydney. Huawei Australia now employs more than 850 staff, 85 per cent of them locals, with the majority based in NSW. The Sydney office serves as headquarters for Huawei's business across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (including Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga).
Sydney has been the perfect location for Huawei's business to grow and flourish. Not only is Sydney home to many major telecommunications companies, NSW also provided the company with access to a vibrant skilled workforce and the opportunity to partner with leading universities.
Factors contributing to Huawei's success
NSW technology leadership
NSW technology is used in Huawei's fibre-optic broadband networks around the globe. Huawei partners with Sydney technology company Finisar, which makes a component critical to the success of Huawei's networks. Huawei is rolling out high-speed fibre broadband networks in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, China, New Zealand, Brunei and many more, with Finisar's technology playing a key role.
NSW university partnerships
As a world leader in R&D and new patent applications, Huawei constantly seeks to employ the best and brightest technology students. In July 2011, Huawei partnered with Macquarie University to host Macquarie students as part of the university's Industry Internships Program and Industry Work Experience Process. Huawei also joined Macquarie University's Engineering Industry Partnership Program and is offering two $5,000 scholarships for final-year students.
Access to a skilled workforce
Huawei has more than doubled in size since early 2011, growing from under 300 employees to over 850 in just 12 months. After winning a major network contract with Vodafone, Huawei required a rapid increase in skilled staff to implement Vodafone's new Australia-wide mobile network in an 18-month timeframe.
Vibrant ICT industry
Many of Huawei's major technology projects have been developed and deployed in NSW – some are Australian "firsts".
- In March 2012, Huawei Australia was announced as the vendor partner for Optus' rollout of 4G LTE (long-term evolution) mobile technology across Newcastle and the surrounding region – the first Optus 4G network in Australia.
- Huawei hosted Australia's first live trial of 4G TD-LTE (Time-Division Long Term Evolution) mobile broadband in Sydney with vividwireless.
- Huawei and AARNet (Australia's Academic and Research Network) hosted Australia's first telepresence interoperability demonstration in Sydney.
Huawei chose to establish its Australian headquarters in Sydney due to the large number of technology companies nearby. Huawei's major customers all have offices in Greater Sydney, including Optus, Vodafone, Telstra, vividwireless, AAPT, Gen-i and more.
Huawei plans to continue to grow its Sydney offices as the company expands. Working on major network contracts with Optus and Vodafone means that Huawei will employ more skilled NSW workers, such as network engineers, radiofrequency experts, technical staff and more.
NSW Trade & Investment has worked with Huawei since it established in Sydney. The Department provided business referrals, introductions to other government agencies, universities, industrial associations and visa support.
