The U.K. is nearing a decision to remove Huawei equipment from its 5G networks this year.
What We Know:
- In January, the British government initially allowed Huawei to play a limited role in building a 5G infrastructure. This move came after the U.S. banned companies from partnering with the Chinese telecommunications company. The U.S. banned Huawei for national security reasons, alleging that the Chinese government could use the company to spy on U.S. officials.
- The U.S. rule banned companies like Google and Intel from supplying Huawei with parts and software licenses, causing the company to develop their own parts. These developments prompted the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre to launch an emergency review of the country’s relationship with Huawei. Additionally, recent reports from British intelligence agencies have raised concerns about national security and caused many to reconsider Huawei’s role in 5G.
- The cyber security review concluded that the U.S. sanctions will force Huawei to use untrusted technology and increases the U.K.’s risk. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently working through plans to stop the purchase of Huawei equipment and remove existing equipment from the 5G network. Many conservative members of Parliament support the idea of cutting ties with Huawei. In March, 38 conservatives rebelled in a vote over Huawei’s role in 5G.
- Huawei maintains its position that the U.S. sanctions had nothing to do with security and that they have been an integral company during the U.K.’s lockdown. Paul Harrison, Huawei’s head of international media, took jabs at the U.S. on social media, saying that the U.S. fell behind in 5G. Ever since the U.S. imposed sanctions last year, they have tried to convince other countries to cut ties with Huawei.
6/6 Shouldn’t the US respect a United Kingdom in the post-Brexit era being in a position to chose its own telecommunication strategy?
On #Huawei right now, the Trump administration wants to call the shots….— Paul Harrison (@HarrisonComms) July 5, 2020
Australia, New Zealand, and Japan joined the U.S. in imposing sanctions on Huawei and excluding the company from contributing to 5G networks.
