BT and Vodafone are reportedly set to support Huawei’s involvement in the development of the UK’s 5G network. The companies are preparing a letter to be sent to the Prime Minister to lobby him to support the move, saying a ban on Huawei could stunt the growth of the UK’s digital economy. Britain is set to take a final decision on Huawei’s role in building new 5G networks this month.
The government is facing pressure from the US to prohibit Huawei from any involvement with the 5G communications network. British and American security staff reportedly met in London this week to discuss the issue, and the US’s view is that it would be “nothing short of madness” to allow the Chinese firm to work on the project. US security chiefs reportedly handed UK officials a dossier of evidence on Huawei’s alleged vulnerablities in an attempt to get Downing Street to block the company.
EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei launches HMS Core 4.0 globally with a slew of new services in tow
Telecoms industry sources said that Philip Jansen, BT chief executive, and Nick Read, who runs Vodafone, were contemplating writing to Mr Johnson during the early part of next week. One source familiar with its prospective content said it would emphasise the priority which both companies placed on the security of their networks, while arguing that they had seen no evidence that would justify an outright ban on Huawei.
Vodafone, which uses Huawei’s telecom equipment in its radio network, has previously said a blanket ban on the Chinese company would costs it millions of pounds and significantly slow down the roll-out of 5G networks. Vodafone has already paused the deployment of Huawei’s equipment in its data-heavy core networks, a year ago until Western governments give the company a full security clearance.
BT also uses Huawei’s equipment in networks, but it is not deployed in the intelligent core of its fixed-line network and it is removing Huawei from the core of its mobile network. In addition, BT has already excluded Huawei from the bidding process for its future 5G network.
UP NEXT: UK’s PM Boris Johnson throw shade at the US; asks Huawei’s critics to suggest alternatives
(Source)
