The United Kingdom has gone ahead to clear its mobile operators to use some portions of Huawei 5G technology, a decision that has irked the United States, one of its most trusted ally.
But the united state is not allowing the UK decision to stand.
Its secretary of state Mike Pompeo is pressing the UK to reconsider its decision to allow the use of Huawei kit in 5G networks, but stopped short of following through on a threat to cut intelligence sharing ties, international media have reported.
Pompeo said the US was yet to fully assess the UK’s move, telling the newspaper his nation’s reaction would be based on the implementation of the plan. Work by US authorities to foster alternative vendors would offer the UK a chance to change course in future, he added.
The US previously threatened to cut intelligence sharing ties with allies, most notably the UK and Germany, if they did not block Huawei. The UK is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, alongside Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
While he didn’t say outright whether the UK’s limited clearance for Huawei would impact that alliance or other intelligence sharing, Reuters reported Pompeo warned the US would ensure networks used to carry “American information” are “trusted”.
Bloomberg reported Canada’s public safety minister Bill Blair said the nation will carefully examine the UK policy and weigh “what they have put in place to protect their digital environment” as part of an ongoing cybersecurity review of network kit.
Earlier this week, the UK cleared operators to use Huawei equipment in their 5G networks, but limited its role to RAN with a 35 per cent cap on the amount of equipment used.
The UK government cleared Huawei to continue to supply equipment for 5G networks in the country but, as expected, the vendor will be shut out from core parts of the infrastructure.
The decision follows a meeting between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the National Security Council, which outlined security requirements so-called high-risk vendors must adhere to.
Without naming Huawei, the government in a statement said high-risk vendors will be excluded from all safety-related and -critical networks; from core functions of the networks; and from sensitive locations such as nuclear sites and military bases.
Huawei’s involvement in non-sensitive parts of networks will be limited to a “minority presence” of no more than 35 per cent in the access network, which connects devices and equipment to mobile phone masts.
Johnson’s decision to allow Huawei to continue participating in 5G rollouts in the country could potentially spark a row with the US, which pushed for the UK and other nations to follow its lead by banning the vendor on national security grounds.
Following the announcement, Huawei’s VP Victor Zhang stated the company was “reassured by the UK’s government’s decision”, which he added would help keep 5G rollout in the country on track.
“This evidence-based decision will result in a more advanced, more secure and more cost-effective telecoms infrastructure that is fit for the future. It gives the UK access to world-leading technology and ensures a competitive market,” Zhang added.
