Editorial

Britain turns to security allies to find Huawei 5G alternative

Britain consults with ‘Five Eyes’ security partners ahead of Huawei decision

Posted 13 July 2020 by Christine Horton


Britain is turning to its ‘Five Eyes’ security partners and other allies to find an alternative to 5G supplier, according to national press reports.

The FT reports this morning the efforts are being made ahead of the British government’s expected decision this week to limit the Chinese telecom vendor’s presence in UK networks.

The BBC notes that the decision “will not only have an impact on the rollout of high-speed data services but could also encourage other countries to rethink their own relationships with Huawei.”

British culture secretary Oliver Dowden has said he is engaging the Five Eyes — the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – “even more intensely” on a telecoms strategy.

This could also include a broader group of ‘D10’ nations formed of the G7 plus India, South Korea, and Japan, in a joint enterprise collaborating on investment, procurement and research to fast-track Huawei’s rivals.

Australia has already excluded Huawei from 5G and Canada is currently considering whether to follow in their footsteps.

US sanctions against the Chinese tech giant have forced Britain to review its decision to allow Huawei a limited role in its 5G networks.

The FT reports that Robert O’Brien, US national security adviser, is due to discuss 5G with his counterparts from France, the UK, Germany and Italy in Paris this week.

In January, the government ordered that Huawei’s market share of 5G and fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband be capped at 35 percent, and that it also be removed from the most sensitive ‘core’ of the network.

Since then ministers have indicated they want to shut out high-risk vendors such as Huawei but have not specified a timeframe.

This is likely to receive push back from the UK’s mobile network operators. As per the BBC, some of them have made significant investments in Huawei masts and other kit for their 5G networks. They say they will need about seven years to replace it with another option.

However, some Conservative MPs have reportedly said this must be done before 2024’s general election.