Huawei and ICL to partner on big data

Huawei, a China-based telecoms equipment manufacturing firm, is partnering with Imperial College London (ICL) with a Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two work together on big data research development at ICL’s new London-based White City campus.

Energy, healthcare and life science big data applications are expected to be the focus of the research.

William Xu, chief executive of Huawai’s Enterprise Business Group, said: “Imperial is one of the world’s great universities and I am delighted to begin this relationship.  We intend for this Memorandum of Understanding to lead to a significant partnership in London and to reinforce our commitment to the UK.”

The announcement has also been welcomed by the UK Government, despite recently voiced security concerns over Huawei.

Last month, UK-based telecoms firm BT came under fire from the UK Intelligence and Security Committee after the company did not inform ministers of a decision to use Huawei’s equipment in its upgrades to UK communications infrastructure. The committee initially suggested that the China-based firm could use the equipment to spy on the country, but later rescinded the criticism after concluding that Huawei was not a threat to UK national security.

David Willetts, Universities and Science Minister in the UK, said: Huawei’s decision to collaborate with Imperial College London will keep the UK as a global leader in big data.  As one of the eight great technologies of the future, big data will allow scientists to research and analyse large information sets to support new innovations across industries such as space, bioscience and healthcare. This initiative is good news for the UK’s science base, universities and the economy.”