United Kingdom set to shrink Huawei's involvement in 5G network
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — May 25, 2020
The government plans to gradually stop using Huawei equipment on 5G networks.
The National Cyber Security Centre involvement comes after the United States brought in fresh sanctions on the Chinese company, citing security fears.
The news, which was reported by the Telegraph and the Guardian, comes months after Johnson said he would allow Huawei to supply up to 35 per cent of the UK's 5G networks but bar it from accessing "sensitive core" parts of the networks.
A government spokesperson also told Times the "security & resilience of our networks is of paramount importance".
"Following the USA announcement of additional sanctions against Huawei, the NCSC is looking carefully at any impact they could have to the UK's networks".
He added: "We are happy to discuss with NCSC any concerns they may have and hope to continue the close working relationship we have enjoyed for the last 10 years".
The Trump administration has banned the government's use of Huawei technology, and the president signed an executive order last May that blocks U.S. companies from buying foreign-made telecommunications equipment that may pose risks to national security.
In the image Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. logo EFE Jerome Favre Archive
The Prime Minister has further instructed authorities that he wishes to see the role of Chinese telecommunications equipment maker's involvement in the United Kingdom infrastructure to be reduced to zero by the year 2023.
The pressure to do so intensified in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic after reports emerged of China not warning the worldwide fraternity in due time to prepare for the crisis.
5G technology, which is thought to open the way for many innovations in the technology world, is gradually becoming widespread.
Complications were recently raised between the USA and China again in recent weeks as Washington blamed China for the Coronavirus pandemic that has so far infected more than 5 million people worldwide and caused over 340,000 deaths. Beijing denies USA allegations it has not been transparent about the outbreak.
"Huawei is part and parcel of the Chinese state".
The firm's founder has said he would "shut the company down" rather than aid "any spying activities".
The goal, reportedly, is to phase out all networking equipment supplied by HUAWEI from its 5G infrastructure by the year 2023.
