U.K. Banning Huawei From Its 5G Networks by 2027
“Given the uncertainty that this creates around Huawei’s supply chain, the U.K. can no longer be confident they can ensure the security.”
The British government decided to ban China’s Huawei Technologies by 2027.
Telecom companies have until that year to disconnect Huawei’s technology from the networks.
The UK followed America’s footsteps. The Commerce Department’s public affairs office in May announced the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) decided to restrict “Huawei’s ability to use U.S. technology and software to design and manufacture its semiconductors abroad.” The release continued:
Since 2019 when BIS added Huawei Technologies and 114 of its overseas-related affiliates to the Entity List, companies wishing to export U.S. items were required to obtain a license.[1] However, Huawei has continued to use U.S. software and technology to design semiconductors, undermining the national security and foreign policy purposes of the Entity List by commissioning their production in overseas foundries using U.S. equipment.
“Despite the Entity List actions the Department took last year, Huawei and its foreign affiliates have stepped-up efforts to undermine these national security-based restrictions through an indigenization effort. However, that effort is still dependent on U.S. technologies,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This is not how a responsible global corporate citizen behaves. We must amend our rules exploited by Huawei and HiSilicon and prevent U.S. technologies from enabling malign activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.”
The National Cyber Security Centre reviewed the U.S. sanctions:
Having reviewed the impact of sanctions, the National Cyber Security Centre concluded it could not guarantee the security of Huawei equipment in the future.
At the heart of this assessment are concerns about the fact that Huawei has to overhaul its supply chain, and that U.K. security services lacked assurances about the security of its new suppliers.
“Given the uncertainty that this creates around Huawei’s supply chain, the U.K. can no longer be confident they can ensure the security,” [secretary of state for digital Oliver] Dowden said.
Officials said the decision did not come from White House pressure. UK intelligence chiefs told Johnson “that they could no longer be confident that new kit used by the Chinese company was secure.”
Telecom companies cannot buy Huawei 5G equipment after December 21, 2020. They have two years to move away from Huawei equipment.
The ban does not affect Huawei’s “existing kit used for 2G, 3G and 4G networks.” Companies do not have to remove those kits.
Vijeta blogged last week that Beijing’s ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming threatened Prime Minister Boris Johnson if the country decided to ban Huawei.
The ambassador promised that the UK will “bear the consequences” if it makes “China a hostile country.”
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Comments
2027? Overheard everywhere in London:
“Say Nigel, 2027? Plenty of time to get the decision reversed. Surely this revolt of the proles and this distasteful Trumpism will have passed by then?”
“Quite, Percy. And then we can re-apply for EU membership!”
So they have 7 years to infiltrate without a trace.
Huah? Why?
By 2027? Is that a JOKE?
This is literally just a shakedown.
We’re banning you on this date, so make sure you pay enough of us to cancel it by then.