The U.K. appears to be taking an about-face and diminishing Huawei gear from its 5G networks. The Sunday Times of London reports the government is drafting proposals to block the use of new Huawei gear in 5G networks within six months, and speed removal of any current Huawei equipment and technology.
The action reportedly comes after the British intelligence agency revised its previous belief that the country could mitigate any security risks from Huawei products. More stringent U.S. sanctions blocking access to chips would “force” Huawei to use untrusted tech and make the risk impossible to manage, according to the account.
A report outlining the revised ideas will reportedly reach Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week. Days earlier, a spokesman said a review of the new U.S. sanctions would be ready soon. The Mail on Sunday added that Johnson may have to present the review to Parliament by the end of July given the seriousness of the claims.
The U.K. said in January it would allow equipment from Huawei and other “high risk” companies in non-core parts of the nation’s 5G networks; it planned to limit their involvement to 35 percent in networks connecting devices and other hardware to cell towers. Reports later emerged the U.K. might phase out Huawei over the space of three years, reported Engadget.
The U.S. says Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese companies could potentially help China spy on communications. Huawei has repeatedly denied the claims, noted Inside Towers.
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