Britain Bans Huawei 5G

The UK government will ban the installation of new Huawei technology in UK telecommunications networks from September of 2021 - much sooner than predicted. 

This new deadline will allow older Huawei equipment to be used in the national telecoms network. The announcement comes ahead of a new law which  introduces strict security regulations on equipment suppliers seeking access to the national network. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said he was pushing for the "complete removal of high-risk vendors" from 5G networks.

Previously, BT's EE division, Vodafone and Three UK would have had until 2027 to install any such equipment acquired before the end of this year, when a purchase ban comes into effect.

This new law will give the British government new powers which will give it the authority to give instructions to big telecoms companies, including BT and Vodafone, which suppliers they may buy equipment from  so-called "high-risk" vendors like Huawei.

Under the new strategy, the government will spend an initial £250m which will involve setting up a National Telecoms Lab research facility as well as investing in open radio technology. Oliver Dowden, the responsible government Minister said that the "new and unprecedented powers" would allow government to "identify and ban telecoms equipment which poses a threat to our national security.... We are also publishing a new strategy to make sure we are never again dependent on a handful of telecoms vendors for the smooth and secure running of our networks.... Our plans will spark a wave of innovation in the design of our future mobile networks,"  This follows a political argument, both in the UK and internationally, over Huawei's threat to security and its alleged links to the Chinese state.

The UK had initially decided that Huawei equipment should be removed from the sensitive part of the "core" network, and only make up a maximum of 35% of the non-core systems. with a deadlne set to be 2023.

Huawei vice president and head of UK operations Victor Zhang said in a press release: “This decision is politically-motivated and not based on a fair evaluation of the risks. It does not serve anyone’s best interests as it would move Britain into the digital slow lane and put at risk the Government’s leveling up agenda.”

Britain has identified 5G technology as a promising field for international collaboration and in 2021 it will  hold the rotating presidency of the G7 group of nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) providing a platform for creation of a common policy on telecoms technology and equipment supply. 

Quartz:       Guardian:       BBC:      Financial Times:      C|Net:          SCMP:      Council on Foreign Relations

You Might Also Read: 

Who’s Afraid Of Huawei?

 

« Amazon Web Services Outage
Delaware Pays $500,000 Ransom »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA)

Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA)

MITA is the central driver of Government Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy, programmes and initiatives in Malta.

Cyberkov

Cyberkov

Cyberkov services include Pentesting, Vulnerability Assessments, Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Source Code Analysis and Security Training.

ID Experts

ID Experts

ID Experts is a leading provider of identity protection and data breach services for companies and individuals throughout the USA.

CLDigital

CLDigital

CLDigital's no-code risk and resilience platform, CL360, provides leaders with risk and resilience data to make strategic and tactical continuity decisions.

Chainalysis

Chainalysis

Chainalysis provides blockchain analysis software to prevent, detect and investigate cryptocurrency money laundering, fraud and compliance violations.

FinCom.co

FinCom.co

FinCom.Co is the world’s first automatic AML/ KYC screening system, for comprehensive compliance.

IoT Defense

IoT Defense

IoT Defense (IOTD) is a cybersecurity and networking company building solutions that enable the protection of networks and the ever-increasing prevalence of IoT devices.

BioConnect

BioConnect

BioConnect provide biometric access control solutions to verify a person’s identity across physical, IOT and digital applications.

ThreatSwitch

ThreatSwitch

ThreatSwitch a software platform for cleared federal contractors to get and stay compliant with NISPOM and Conforming Change 2.

Next47

Next47

Next47 is a global venture firm, backed by Siemens, committed to turning today's impossible ideas into tomorrow's indispensable industries.

Smart Hive

Smart Hive

Smart Hive has created a platform that will allow organizations to share real-time, relevant and actionable threat intelligence among each other while maintaining confidentiality.

BeyondTrust

BeyondTrust

BeyondTrust is a leader in Privileged Access Management, offering a seamless approach to preventing data breaches related to stolen credentials, misused privileges, and compromised remote access.

ARCON

ARCON

ARCON offers a proprietary unified governance framework, which addresses risk across various technology platforms.

HolistiCyber

HolistiCyber

HolistiCyber provide state-of-the art consulting, services, and solutions to help proactively and holistically defend against a new era of constantly evolving cyber threats.

Cyber Management Alliance

Cyber Management Alliance

Cyber Management Alliance is closing the divide in cyberspace by bringing together the best qualities of thought leadership and operational mastery of cyber security management.

SeQure

SeQure

SeQure is a cutting-edge startup specializing in the development of advanced security infrastructure for artificial intelligence and blockchain.