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The UK has made a bold decision to allow Chinese megacorporation Huawei to install their 5G wireless network in the country.
While this might sound like a great way to modernize the UK’s wireless technology, it could threaten the UK’s ties to the US. President Trump explicitly warned London not to allow Huawei to install the 5G infrastructure.
The US and Huawei are far from friendly: the Chinese telecom company is suspected of engaging in corporate espionage to steal trade secrets from American tech company Apple.
Additionally, the Trump administration is concerned that Huawei technology could be used for spying on other countries.
Under Chinese law, Beijing can compel companies to act according to their direction. Theoretically, Huawei could be compelled to gather data from peoples’ phones, cell towers or any equipment they have a connection to.
Huawei maintains that they do not use their technology to spy on foreigners.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been under immense pressure with regards to the 5G infrastructure in the UK. Many in his own party have pressured him to acquiesce to Trump’s requests and deny Huawei entirely.
To compromise, the PM decided to allow Huawei components to be used in the 5G network. However, he forbade them from being installed in “critical security” areas.
Huawei has had some role in British infrastructure since 2003, when they started helping with wireless networks. According to Ian Levy, technical director of the National Cyber Security Centre [sic], “We’ve always treated them as a ‘high risk vendor’ and have worked to limit their use in the UK and put extra mitigations around their equipment and services.”
“We agree a diverse vendor market and fair competition are essential for network reliability and innovation, as well as ensuring consumers have access to the best possible technology,” said Victor Zhang, one of Huawei’s vice presidents.
He stated that the company felt reassured that it could continue working in the UK.
Many consider Huawei to be a superior smartphone manufacturer than European competitors like Ericsson or Nokia.
However, there is speculation that Huawei’s low prices are only possible due to sizable loans from the Chinese government. Huawei disputes these claims.
