Photo taken on April 30, 2019 shows an event to launch new Huawei products in Sao Paulo, Brazil.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Consumers may have to pay more for the fifth-generation (5G) technology if Chinese telecom company Huawei is not a provider, said Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao on Monday.

"Currently, 40 percent of the 3G and 4G infrastructure is (provided by) Huawei," Mourao said during a conference held by the Sao Paulo Trade Association. "If Huawei cannot provide this equipment, it is going to be much more expensive."

"If the equipment is dismantled, who will pay the bill? It is going to be us, the consumers," he added.

An idea is gaining traction in the government that any multinational can participate in the 5G auction as long as it meets three requirements, namely respect for sovereignty, respect for data privacy, and affordable installation, he added.

Huawei has been operating in Brazil since 1999.