London (CNN Business) – The United Kingdom has banned Huawei from its 5G telecom network, reversing a January decision to allow the embattled Chinese tech company a limited role in building the country’s super-fast wireless infrastructure.
Operators such as BT (BTGOF) and Vodafone (VOD) have been given until 2027 to remove existing Huawei equipment from their 5G networks, the UK government announced on Tuesday. Digital and Culture Minister Oliver Dowden said new US sanctions imposed on the company in May had “significantly changed” the landscape.
“Given the uncertainty this creates around Huawei’s supply chain, the UK can no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment,” Dowden said.
It’s been said that existing 4G technology is not part of this ruling.
Not to get too involved in politics as this is a technology channel but we believe with the threat of US-UK strategic, and military, operations apparently on the line it is clear the mounting pressure from the US has had some part to play in this unfolding news.
Companies that have implemented Huawei’s technology in their 5G rollout so far have no been given until 2027 to have the equipment totally removed from their network. With no new purchases allowed after January 2021.
Source – CNN
