As of 2023, all Huawei’s communications equipment in 5G networks must be replaced by equipment from other brands, according to reports Financial times Based on informed sources from the UK government. The British cite the same reason as many Western countries: fear of national security. Huawei is increasingly mistrusting China due to its close ties with the Chinese government.
Huawei equipment can still be used to a limited extent in building British 5G networks. The use of Huawei in the primary network is already prohibited, a measure that also applies in the Netherlands. The decision was taken in the United Kingdom during the era of former Prime Minister Theresa May. Incumbent Prime Minister Boris Johnson would now like to reconsider this decision.
The United States wants a tougher policy
At the start of this year, US President Trump was not satisfied with the limited use of Huawei in the UK. The US would rather see the UK ban of Huawei just as it already is in the US. Trump then threatened to restrict British access to the five-eye intelligence cooperation shared between the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The UK’s largest service providers, EE, Three and Vodafone, are already busy building their 5G network and all of them use Huawei equipment. The shift to European alternatives from Ericsson or Nokia will slow down network construction and significantly increase costs.
Victor Zhang, vice president of Huawei, told the Financial Times that the reports were “meaningless”. “The government decided in January to approve our share of the 5G offering because Britain needs the best possible technology, more options, innovation and more suppliers,” Zhang said.
