Huawei calls on ABC to drop "anti-Android bias" with iView

Chinese telecommunications giant, Huawei has set its sights on the ABC calling on the broadcaster to drop what it calls an “anti-Android bias” with its iView application.

The telco alleges that the ABC has been too slow in releasing an Android version of its popular catch-up TV streaming app.

As pointed out by Huawei’s Corporate Affairs director Jeremy Mitchell, the media group has long promised to launch an app for Android – the most popular device operating system in Australia.

“Despite the claims of the ABC, there has been no real evidence that there is any desire to fill this blatant gap,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement.

“It feels like Godot will arrive before the iView app gets here on Android.”

The ABC is yet to reply to Huawei’s claims. The company was unable to return a request for comment before the publication.

Upping procurement spend in Australia

Meanwhile, in a sign that Huawei’s looking to further ingrain itself in the Australian market, the company announced that it would be increasing its procurement spend by up to 10 per cent this year.

“From 2007 to May 2013, Huawei procured products and services worth more than US$513 million from Australian suppliers,” said Huawei Australia CTO Peter Rossi said in a statement.

“Huawei’s total spend on Australian procurement rose from US$36 million in 2010 to over $136 million in 2012, and we’re aiming to grow that by a further 10 per cent in 2013.”

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