ZTE's US ban may cost company its Android license as well

18 April 2018
The information comes courtesy of a Reuters report, which cites a source saying the ban means ZTE may not be able to use Google's mobile OS in its devices.

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  • I
  • Ipolit
  • nUr
  • 18 Apr 2018

This is serious, since it can affect their export to EU. They used to be very popular in the low range, I don't know how is now. But most of the carriers we using rebranded ZTE devices as their own brand. With Google services they also might have problems, since few weeks ago Google anounced it will allow only ceritfied devices to use their services. For sure all chinese brands have their own stores with mirrored apps from the Play store, but it might be tricky for use by the common customer. And ZTE will not bankrupt, neither Xiaomi or Huawei, but this will affect mostly people like me who doesn't want to buy Samsung device with 2 year old hardware priced higher as Chinese top model. But we have to learn to live in the new world. The phones are our smallest problem, this is not something important.

    • D
    • Dude
    • 3Kf
    • 18 Apr 2018

    Does this count for Nubia as well?

      • D
      • AnonD-715331
      • UFx
      • 18 Apr 2018

      Anonymous, 18 Apr 2018Looking forward to Apple being banned in China.I'd love that

        • X
        • Xhumdahil
        • mbW
        • 18 Apr 2018

        Anonymous, 18 Apr 2018The story is another way round. China is in debt not US but... moreThat is quite incorrect. Please do some research before commenting. The US is pretty much in debt to most of the world and especially China.

          • w
          • wtf
          • SpG
          • 18 Apr 2018

          "its worth to mention" that it was us that started war in irak, iran and every other weak country that has oil and now this?!
          zte should seriously pull out from us as Europe and asia is much better market especially where american bulies prefer shitphone anyway.
          i struggle to understand why any company want to open any business in us where only 200mil people live and are more likely to buy online and ship the goods there.
          peace

            DaXiong, 18 Apr 2018100% of Android phones in China doesn't use Google Play, Go... moreI know, but VPN can still make it work in some case.

            I was in Guangzhou last year for vacation, with my US version of Xperia XZ. I'm still able to use most of Google's service with my T-Mobile sim card in( although it is receiving signal from the China Mobile's tower)

            And the one that doesn't work I can still get it work with the VPN turn on ( although not 100% ).

              • P
              • PKC
              • 6ue
              • 18 Apr 2018

              FromChinaWithLove, 18 Apr 2018First of all. Let's be civilizes here, okay? No hatred comm... moreThey can't even use Windows OS because Microsoft belongs to US. They have only option to use Linux or Tizen to sale outside China.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 4gS
                • 18 Apr 2018

                Can't ZTE just release their phones using their subsidiaries that are independently-owned?

                  I'm fairly certain that Microsoft won't allow ZTE to ship devices containing their software. Also, the mobile version of Windows 10 is pretty much dead and buried.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-730542
                    • sxs
                    • 18 Apr 2018

                    Then go for sailfish OS.and help its development.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • JG0
                      • 18 Apr 2018

                      DaXiong, 18 Apr 2018100% of Android phones in China doesn't use Google Play, Go... moreThey use VPN to avoid censorship.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • JG0
                        • 18 Apr 2018

                        Zero , 18 Apr 2018They don't forbid to use Android, but they won't use Google... moreBut the users still can install manually the Google apps. Like in Cyanogenmod.

                          FromChinaWithLove, 18 Apr 2018First of all. Let's be civilizes here, okay? No hatred comm... more100% of Android phones in China doesn't use Google Play, Google Maps or other Google services since it's banned on IP level on all mobile operators. So even if you have the apps they won't work and will just time out.

                          Only exception is roaming with foreign SIM-cards (usually expensive) or using a SIM-card from Hong Kong.

                            • A
                            • Andu
                            • Mvf
                            • 18 Apr 2018

                            An opportunity to sell AOSP phones as there are desktop computers shipped with some kind of Linux distribution. Better would be to come with the bootloader already unlocked.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-669148
                              • 38G
                              • 18 Apr 2018

                              This only prove that the world must stop being dependant on products... made in, or use licences own by companies in, USA!

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • XNU
                                • 18 Apr 2018

                                techperson211, 18 Apr 2018Breaking news: China is now asking US to pay all it's debt ... moreThe story is another way round. China is in debt not US but thankfully that's not how business works.

                                  First of all. Let's be civilizes here, okay? No hatred comments, and the to be on the topic with critical points and opinions.

                                  Now, since 99%( or 99.99%) of Android phone in China doesn't use Google's service anyway ( no playstore, map, search, etc.) As long as they can still use the OS, there's no problem in China ( but not able to do business outside of China is a problem for business).

                                  2, Not sure that China will ever *ban* Apple from selling any iPhone in China ( even with this whole tariff going on). But, if that happens in a unexpected circumstance or response ( who knows!) It gonna be fun to watch what will happen next.

                                  3, maybe , just maybe ZTE can go with Windows 10 mobile, but ask Microsoft give them the right ( or authorization ) to really mess around with the OS, like do whatever the F. Of customization on the OS that they would like or sees fit.

                                  I mean, just imagine that Windows mobile open that door to OEM manufacturers etc. Android was a success because they can do whatever the hell they want to it.
                                  It generate business and money.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • XNU
                                    • 18 Apr 2018

                                    Zero , 18 Apr 2018They don't forbid to use Android, but they won't use Google... moreMost of the US big companies are already banned in China. Some of them include Google, Facebook, Uber, Yahoo and many many more.
                                    Chinese thought that since they are dealing with a capitalist country they can get away with everything. They thought wrong.

                                      Just imagine all the Chinese vendors losing their android licenses. Samsung’s tizen will be in high demand. Apple IOS will be king.

                                        • Z
                                        • Zero
                                        • L8Q
                                        • 18 Apr 2018

                                        David Elliott Lewis, 18 Apr 2018The high price of doing business with Iran - a country the ... moreThey don't forbid to use Android, but they won't use Google services.

                                        Is like going MIUI without the chance to use Google apps.

                                        They will sell well in China, but... Seems that they will be on problems.

                                        China reaction will be strong this time and against US companies. This will be a very big battle to see.

                                        Huawei, Xiaomi and even Samsung and Sony will be affected by Trump's idiocy.