Huawei says recent US sanctions affecting the company's ability to source chips for its telecoms kit will not have an immediate impact on its supply chain and urged the UK to carefully consider what Washington's next decision has been for long hostile to Huawei, saying the company has ties to the Chinese government and that its equipment is a threat to national security. Huawei has consistently denied any accusations, and the US has never produced any evidence to support its claims. However, the United States urged its allies, including the United Kingdom, to follow suit.
Huawei UK 5G
The Chinese mobile phone giant is a major supplier to the four main British operators and in January it was confirmed that its company could play a role in the rollout of 5G. The new rules have effectively preserved the status quo by banning Huawei kit in the core layer of the network, but authorizing the use of the company's radio equipment, subject to a 35% cap. However, it was reported earlier this week that the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) believes the new restrictions are fundamentally changing the security situation and affecting its ability to mitigate potential threats. It has been claimed that this could lead to new regulations that would ban the purchase of new kit from Huawei by 2027, paving the way for the retirement of existing equipment. Huawei Vice President Victor Zhang said US sanctions would take a long time to have an impact, so the government should take its time before drawing any conclusions. "Indeed, these restrictions have had no impact on Huawei's ability to provide the UK's 5G and fiber solution at this time," Zhang said. “We have to talk about the long-term impact, it takes time, it takes months. “We think it is important to wait until all the facts and implications are known. Now is not the time to make such a crucial decision on Huawei. “Mobile operators argue that any ban would be detrimental, as it would delay 5G rollout, increase costs and reduce innovation, ultimately hurting consumers and businesses and the post-coronavirus and post-Brexit British economy. Meanwhile, Huawei launched a media campaign that aimed to dispel myths about the company and promote its ability to deliver 5G.Via Reuters