In July, the Government announced that – despite previously permitting Huawei a limited role providing equipment for the non-core parts of the UK’s 5G network – it would be fully shut out of UK networks.
The UK’s decision to formally exclude Huawei came amid diplomatic pressure from its intelligence allies and strict new US restrictions against the company, which GCHQ reported would compromise the security of its 5G equipment. Huawei has repeatedly denied claims that it poses a national security risk.
Mobile operators BT, Vodafone, and Three all launched their 5G networks using Huawei in parts of their non-core networks. They will have until 2027 to remove all Huawei equipment from their 5G infrastructure. Telecommunications companies have also been banned from buying new 5G equipment from the company after the end of the year; some lawmakers have expressed concern that operators may stockpile Huawei equipment to be deployed over the coming years.
The...