Huawei Technologies topped the EPO’s 2019 application rankings, according to the European Patent Office’s recent annual report. It became the only Chinese company to reach the number one spot. The leading 5G equipment maker applied for 3,524 patents in 2019, far more than Samsung (2,858), LG (2,817), United Technologies (2,813) and Siemens (2,619), ranking second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Out of 3,524 patents submitted by Huawei, 64 percent is in the field of digital communication, 12 percent in telecommunications and 11 percent in computer technology. Yann Meniere, EPO Chief Economist, revealed that digital communication is the field with the most patent applications in 2019, reflecting the rapid development of 5G technologies.
The Shenzhen-based company is leading the global 5G race with more than 90 commercial 5G contracts signed with operators worldwide. As the world is preparing for the official rollout of 5G, Liang Hua, Huawei’s chairman, announced at the end of last year that the firm’s 5G base stations shipment has exceeded 400,000 units. Ren Zhengfei, its CEO and founder, also said he believed the company will manage to ship 1.5 to 2 million base stations in 2020.
The telecoms giant in February announced it will build its first European 5G equipment plant in France, where it will produce the Made-in-Europe mobile base stations. “This site will supply the entire European market, not just France’s,” said Liang Hua. The EUR200 million French plant will be Huawei’s first 5G base station facility outside China.
