Gov bans new Huawei 5G tech from September

UK telecoms providers will be banned from installing Huawei technology in 5G networks from September next year.

The government today revealed the Telecoms Security Bill which "will create new powers to control high-risk vendors".

The press release specifically named Huawei as one vendor impacted by the proposed law.

It called the September 2021 deadline as "an important milestone in the path mobile operators must take to get to zero Huawei in 5G networks".

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "Today I am setting out a clear path for the complete removal of high-risk vendors from our 5G networks.

"This will be done through new and unprecedented powers to identify and ban telecoms equipment which poses a threat to our national security.

"We are also publishing a new strategy to make sure we are never again dependent on a handful of telecoms vendors for the smooth and secure running of our networks. Our plans will spark a wave of innovation in the design of our future mobile networks."

Under the government plans there must be no Huawei technology in any part of the UK's 5G network by 2027.

Earlier in the year the government said Huawei cannot be used in any core part of 5G, but said it could be used in other areas, but not by any more than 35 per cent of the network.

This part of the sanctions comes into effect on 28 January 2023, after which telcos have four years to remove the vendor entirely.

Huawei has not commented on the government's announcement but has continuingly denied accusations of spying on behalf of the Chinese government.