The U.K. government launched a formal investigation on the legal parameters around the Huawei 5G equipment ban. TechRadar reported that in July 2021, all U.K. mobile operators were forbidden from purchasing new Huawei 5G radio equipment and must remove all existing equipment by 2027. Huawei has supplied all four of the country’s mobile operators with equipment for two decades.
The Telecommunications (Security) Act has since become law in the U.K., and the legalities are the next stage in the process since Huawei is designated as a “high-risk vendor.” The consultation will outline requirements for operators regarding the use of Huawei equipment and proposed measures preventing fixed broadband operators from using the Chinese manufacturer’s gear under separate U.S. sanctions.
“The government is committed to ensuring the security and resilience of our phone and internet networks,” said culture secretary Nadine Dorries. “Last year, we brought in new laws to protect U.K. infrastructure from high-risk vendors and issue tough sanctions on providers which fall short of our high-security standards. This consultation marks the next step in removing the risks posed by Huawei.”
TechRadar reported the government has reiterated that the National Cyber Security Council has been consulted at every stage of the process and will consider industry input before making a final decision. According to a Huawei spokesperson, the company will “continue to support our U.K. customers with our network equipment, which is recognized as being among the most secure and trusted in the world.”
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