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

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

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.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Senetas

Senetas

Senetas is a leading developer and manufacturer of certified high-assurance encryption solutions, dedicated to protecting network transmitted data without compromising performance.

RPC

RPC

RPC is a business law firm. Practice areas include technology and cyber risk.

Towergate Insurance

Towergate Insurance

Towergate Insurance is a leading UK specialist insurance broker. Business products include Cyber Liability Insurance.

LIFARS

LIFARS

LIFARS is a global leader in Digital Forensics and Cyber Resiliency Services.

Silensec

Silensec

Silensec is a management consulting, technology services and training company specialized in information security.

PRESENSE Technologies

PRESENSE Technologies

PRESENSE Technologies specializes in monitoring and enforcing IT security policies at critical points in the network and on end systems.

RATEL (SRB-CERT)

RATEL (SRB-CERT)

RATEL has been appointed as the National Center for the Prevention of Security Risks in ICT systems of the Republic of Serbia (SRB-CERT).

ISMS Accreditation Center (ISMS-AC)

ISMS Accreditation Center (ISMS-AC)

ISMS-AC is the national accreditation body for Japan. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

Digital Magics

Digital Magics

Digital Magics is an incubator for innovative startups which offer content and services with high technological value. Areas of focus include IoT, Enterprise Software, AI, Industry 4.0 and Blockchain.

Audea

Audea

Audea is a consultancy firm specialising in cybersecurity, risk and compliance. We provide professional services addressing all areas of Cybersecurity and GRC.

SnapAttack

SnapAttack

SnapAttack is a collaborative platform that empowers your security team to stay ahead of threats, create robust behavioral analytics for your existing tools, and prove your program's effectiveness.

Fortiedge

Fortiedge

Fortiedge is an IT Security solution provider specializing in Cyber Security practices and solutions for our clients.

Hubify

Hubify

Hubify is an experienced, service-driven technology company specialising in business connectivity across mobile, data, voice, cloud, & cyber security solutions.

Superus Careers - Cyber Career Exchange

Superus Careers - Cyber Career Exchange

The Cyber Career Exchange is a specialized recruiting platform focused specifically on cybersecurity.

SilverEdge Government Solutions

SilverEdge Government Solutions

SilverEdge is a next generation provider of innovative and proprietary cybersecurity, software, and intelligence solutions for the Defense and Intelligence Communities.

White Knight Labs

White Knight Labs

White Knight Labs is a cyber security consultancy that specializes in cybersecurity training.