Huawei and 5G: A risk worth taking?

France will move forward with its planned deployment of 5G telecom networks despite detractors who would prefer "the Amish model" and "going back to the oil lamp", President Emmanuel Macron said Monday.

The French government has begun auctioning off frequencies for the next generation of mobile networks, known as 5G. The country's four main telecom operators will take part in the bidding process, which is expected to earn the state more than €2 billion. The auction is going ahead after months of delays, and despite opposition from some left-wing and Green politicians. Meanwhile, local representatives are divided over plans for China's Huawei – a leader in 5G technology – to build a factory in the city of Strasbourg.

In France, the arrival of 5G technology is imminent: phone network providers hope to begin 5G operations by the end of the year. Together they have spent more than €2 billion purchasing the required frequencies. While the transition to a 5G world is expected to revolutionise various parts of the economy, including the industry and health sectors, there are also fears about its rollout. Many NGOs are warning of health and environmental risks. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent, Hanane Saïdani and Wassim Cornet report.

Apple joined the move to 5G on Tuesday, unveiling four new iPhones which use the new standard in what could be a turning point for the high-speed wireless technology.

Apple has unveiled its latest iPhone - the first major redesign of the company's flagship product since 2017. The iPhone 12 will join offerings from rivals in what the industry is hoping will be a spending spree on new phones as next-generation 5G mobile networks are rolled out. Also in today's business round-up, why the United States and the European Union are calling for talks to resolve a long-running trade dispute over subsidies to Airbus and Boeing.

North Macedonia, Kosovo and Bulgaria joined the US agreement aimed at stemming Chinese influence in 5G infrastructure. The US and EU also launched bilateral talks to discuss China issues.

British telecom companies will not be allowed to install new Huawei 5G equipment after September 2021, the UK government announced ahead of a debate on new telecom legislation.

The US has labeled five Chinese tech companies, including Huawei, as national security risks. President Joe Biden may be continuing his predcessor's hardline stance against China's growing technological dominance.

Profits at Apple more than doubled in the first three months of 2021, as sales of all its flagship products soared. Demand for company's biggest earner, the iPhone, was boosted by the latest model, which can be used on 5G mobile networks.

One issue causing real concern about public health is fake news around Covid-19 vaccines. In France, anti-vaccine sentiment is already high, with 46% of people hesitant to get jabbed in December 2020. Among the fake news circulating most widely: the claim that US billionaire Bill Gates is planning to implant us all with 5G microchips along with the Covid-19 vaccine. Fact or fake? Our team has debunked it for you.

The company behind the world's first electric flying racing car series have teamed up with Australian technology consultants to help deliver the virtual race track and control systems needed to get racing started. Telstra Purple will use its 5G expertise to help get the Airspeeder EXA Series off the ground, transmitting terabytes of data in near real-time.

Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have also returned home after over 1,000 days in Chinese custody as part of the US-brokered deal that saw the release of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.