Facing a rebellion from MPs and US, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has assured that the nation will phase Chinese company Huawei out of country’s 5G mobile phone network.
According to several media reports, the UK Prime Minister is facing heat from the Conservative Party over Huawei with many Ministers claiming that the company provides China, a chance to spy.
The decision comes in the backdrop of US designating Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE Corp as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military apparatus.
The decision to phase Huawei out of 5G networks could escalate tensions between the US and China, especially when it comes in the wake of China’s decision to impose national security law in Hong Kong. Beijing’s decision to impose the draconian law in erstwhile British colony has drawn fierce criticism from the UK and its other allies including the US.
In January this year, Johnson had allowed Huwaei to play a limited role in UK’s 5G network.
A report by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre has decided the US sanctions barring Huawei from using technology relying on American intellectual property has had a severe impact on the company.
The prime minister’s decision to allow Huawei a limited role in Britain’s 5G network has caused tension between London and Washington DC in recent months.
Last month, in US, the Federal Communications Commission designated Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp, as well as their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military apparatus.
With Prime Minister Johnson’s decision, UK’s mobile providers are being banned from buying new Huawei 5G equipment after 31 December, and they must also remove all the Chinese firm’s 5G kit from their networks by 2027.