Huawei in discussion to install the Russian operating system on tablets for the census of the country's population: sources

MOSCOW (Reuters) – China's Huawei has begun talks with Russia on the installation of the Russian Aurora operating system on 360,000 of its tablets in order to conduct a census of Russia's population next year. two sources to Reuters.

Huawei was looking for alternative operating systems to Google's Android operating system after Washington ranked the world's second-largest maker of smartphones on a list of entities, which threatened to deny it access to essential components and technology of the United States.

"This is a pilot project. We see it as the first step in launching the Russian operating system on Huawei devices, "said the first source to Reuters.

Huawei is in talks with the Russian Ministry of Communications, said a spokesman for Huawei, without providing any other details.

Huawei said last week that US trade restrictions could reduce its smartphone unit's revenue by about $ 10 billion this year.

Russia discusses the use of Aurora OS on 360,000 Huawei tablets by August of this year.

"Huawei is interested in the project. He showed samples of tablets that could be used, "said the second source. Aurora is the only operating system in Russia and is not currently used.

Huawei is also working on developing its own operating system in anticipation of a worst-case scenario in which it would be deprived of essential Google Android apps.

The owner of the Russian telecommunications operator Aurora, Rostelecom, is the only contractor to buy tablets for the census of population in Russia, which has 147 million inhabitants in October.

"Various options for collaboration with Huawei are currently under study with the participation of the Ministry of Communications … We do not disclose details, there is an agreement on confidentiality," said Rostelecom in a written response to a request for comment from Reuters.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Communications declined to comment.