Carriers in Finland decided to ban the sales of Xiaomi products

While Xiaomi’s phones have always offered great value for money, the company has also faced various controversies. Now, according to reports from multiple Finnish outlets, three major telecom operators in Finland—Telia, DNA, and Elisa—have decided to ban the sales of Xiaomi smartphones and associated brands, including Redmi and POCO.

This move comes after Xiaomi’s continued presence in Russia, which some view as indirect support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Furthermore, Xiaomi’s active support of Russian companies in launching new products instead of distancing itself from the Russian market has raised some serious questions.

“At Telia, we constantly review our equipment selection and make changes to it if necessary. For the time being, we have given up cooperation with Xiaomi, so new device models will no longer be available. The remaining products in stock are sold through the online store and stores,” said Markku Saranpää, director of Telia’s device business.

However, it is important to note that Finland’s decision is independent of any EU sanctions on Xiaomi. Additionally, Finnish retailers such as Gigantti and Verkkokauppa plan to continue selling Xiaomi smartphones and devices.

Xiaomi’s response

While Xiaomi has not directly commented on the situation, the company has previously defended its position by arguing that it has a responsibility towards its Russian customers and employees, emphasizing its commitment to providing services in the region. However, the EU has repeatedly criticized Xiaomi’s stance, asserting that its continued operations in Russia indirectly provide financial support to the Russian government.

Moreover, Finland isn’t the only country to take such action. In March, Poland and Lithuania banned the sale of Xiaomi products in their respective countries.

Potential consequences

Although Finland may have a smaller population compared to other countries, it still holds significance as Xiaomi maintains a 10% market share in the country. Furthermore, the decision by Finland could attract the attention of the EU, potentially leading to far-reaching consequences, as a ban on Xiaomi in the EU could prove detrimental.