UK grants Huawei a limited role in 5G, defying President Trump

By Jack Stubbs, Paul Sandle

 

FILE PHOTO: An attendee wears a badge strip with the logo of Huawei and a sign for 5G at the World 5G Exhibition in Beijing, China November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday granted China’s Huawei a limited role in Britain’s 5G mobile network, resisting U.S. pressure to exclude the company from next generation communications on fears China could use it to steal secrets.

 

In the biggest test of his post-Brexit foreign policy to date, Johnson ruled that “high-risk vendors” would be allowed into the “non-sensitive” parts of 5G networks, but their involvement would be capped at 35%.

 

They would be excluded from the sensitive core of networks, where data is processed, and banned from all critical networks and sensitive locations such as nuclear sites and military bases, the government said.

 

The decision will dismay President Donald Trump’s administration which fears China could use Huawei to steal secrets and which has warned that if London gives Huawei a role then it could scale back intelligence cooperation.

 

“This is a UK-specific solution for UK-specific reasons and the decision deals with the challenges we face right now,” Communications Secretary Nicky Morgan said following a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by Johnson.

 

Huawei was not mentioned by name in the British government’s statement, but British cyber security officials said they had always treated the company as a “high risk” vendor.

 

The White House and U.S. state department did not immediately respond for a request to comment.

 

Huawei, though, was happy.

 

“Huawei is reassured by the UK government’s confirmation that we can continue working with our customers to keep the 5G roll-out on track,” said Victor Zhang, Vice-President, Huawei.

 

“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.”

 

Sources told Reuters last week senior British officials had proposed granting Huawei a limited role in the 5G network - a “calculated compromise” which could be presented to Washington as a tough restriction but also accepted by British operators already using the company’s equipment.

 

Huawei, the world’s biggest producer of telecoms equipment, says the United States wants it blocked from Britain’s 5G network because no U.S. company can offer the same range of technology at a competitive price.

 

The United States has argued that as 5G technology evolves, the distinction between the “edge” and “core” will blur as data is processed throughout the network, making it difficult to contain any security risks.

 

Huawei’s equipment is already used by Britain’s biggest telecoms companies such as BT (BT.L) and Vodafone (VOD.L), but it has been largely deployed at the “edge” of the network and excluded in the “core” where data is processed.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-28

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Expect a twitter tantrum some time soon-no doubt threatening anticipated pie in the sky trade deals as well.

Edited January 28, 20206 yr by Bluespunk

Risk to security is just the US excuse, the real reason is they want a bigger slice of the pie.

I see a tantrum coming haven’t you realized donald thinks every owes him fealty lol

Looks like a Chinese tonight then Boris are you interested in a wet market going cheap for afters????

Yeah - the remainder of the 5 eyes are going to love this. 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The White House and U.S. state department did not immediately respond for a request to comment.

 

Huawei, though, was happy.

 

“Huawei is reassured by the UK government’s confirmation that we can continue working with our customers to keep the 5G roll-out on track,” said Victor Zhang, Vice-President, Huawei.

As an independent, moderately sized country UK has to try to please all sides equally to be able secure good trade deals and continue to have good relationship with all big players in the world. 

It's silly to present this as a Trump v UK kind of spat.  (You can bet your life that even if the present president were -shudder - H R Clinton, the US establishment would be leaning on the British and other governments to ban the Huaweis.)

 

I would have hoped that the UK government might have calculated, cynically, about the economic costs of going this way or that.  The American economy is still the world's largest and so it would make sense to limit Huawei much more than they have been  here.

10 hours ago, samran said:

Yeah - the remainder of the 5 eyes are going to love this. 

UK were less than impressed whenever five eyes security leaks entered public domain in real time via the US media when MI5/the Met were still in hot pursuit.

This isn't once, it's every time!

Edited January 29, 20206 yr by evadgib

11 hours ago, TheDark said:

As an independent, moderately sized country UK has to try to please all sides equally to be able secure good trade deals and continue to have good relationship with all big players in the world. 

I thought the UK now had its sovereignty back and didn’t have to worry about pleasing others now (note: sarcasm...).

58 minutes ago, evadgib said:

UK were less than impressed whenever five eyes security leaks entered public domain in real time via the US media when MI5/the Met were still in hot pursuit.

This isn't once, it's every time!

Now the Chinese will know in advance now too! 

1 hour ago, blazes said:

The American economy is still the world's largest and so it would make sense to limit Huawei much more than they have been here.

It depends which metric you use, Nominal per capita GDP or PPP per capita GDP.

 

According to World Bank statistics, China is ahead by the PPP method, the US leads in Nominal GDP (see link below).

 

US vs China economy

Edited January 29, 20206 yr by GroveHillWanderer

31 minutes ago, samran said:

Now the Chinese will know in advance now too! 

UK's int services believe otherwise.

How bomb-proof is yours?

3 minutes ago, evadgib said:

UK's int services believe otherwise.

How bomb-proof is yours?

And their Australian counterparts disagree with their UK counterparts. Hence my comment. 
 

I personally don’t have a dog on this fight, but it is interesting to see that there is some divide and conquering going on by China with the 5 eyes. 

Edited January 29, 20206 yr by samran

Related links from HMG:

 

Foreign Secretary's statement on Huawei

 

Baroness Morgan's Oral Statement on UK Telecommunications

 

Better tech: not a ‘nice to have’ but vital to have for the NHS

2 hours ago, blazes said:

t's silly to present this as a Trump v UK kind of spat.  (You can bet your life that even if the present president were -shudder - H R Clinton, the US establishment would be leaning on the British and other governments to ban the Huaweis.)

 

I would have hoped that the UK government might have calculated, cynically, about the economic costs of going this way or that.  The American economy is still the world's largest and so it would make sense to limit Huawei much more than they have been  here.

The Chinese Government is a clear and present danger to the World. Allowing them into a 5G dytem is madness.  Once in they can get in 100%.

 

This is not about Trump versus the World.  It is about China versus the World.  5G is the working arm of the Chinese intelligence bureau and it's goal is Worldwide control. The Chnese Communist Party wants to stay in power forever and to do this it needs total control of its own people and a watch on the rest of the World and a way to steal  the data of individual countries.

 

If you think Huawei is simply a private mobile company from China- you are mistaken.  It is an arm of the Chinese Government just like every Company in China.

 

Because of this- the US will now restrict vital intelligence sharing with the UK and vice versa. 

It won;t belong before vital intelligence can only be delivered by personal emmisaries carrying a diplomatic pouch.  Welcome to the 21st Century

15 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

The Chinese Government is a clear and present danger to the World. Allowing them into a 5G dytem is madness.  Once in they can get in 100%.

 

This is not about Trump versus the World.  It is about China versus the World.  5G is the working arm of the Chinese intelligence bureau and it's goal is Worldwide control. The Chnese Communist Party wants to stay in power forever and to do this it needs total control of its own people and a watch on the rest of the World and a way to steal  the data of individual countries.

 

If you think Huawei is simply a private mobile company from China- you are mistaken.  It is an arm of the Chinese Government just like every Company in China.

 

Because of this- the US will now restrict vital intelligence sharing with the UK and vice versa. 

It won;t belong before vital intelligence can only be delivered by personal emmisaries carrying a diplomatic pouch.  Welcome to the 21st Century

Over dramatic much this morning. Don’t the UK decision tell you anything? 

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

ver dramatic much this morning. Don’t the UK decision tell you anything? 

Yes it did- it toild me that don't know much about cyber security and the chinese threat.  I am not anti Chinese simply anti Chinese Government as so many in Hong Kong; Taiwan and Singapore are.

Can't really blame the UK after Trump stepped in and gave exemptions to US companies to continue to deal with Huawei. Even Trump is defying Trump.

1 hour ago, zydeco said:

Can't really blame the UK after Trump stepped in and gave exemptions to US companies to continue to deal with Huawei. Even Trump is defying Trump.

I blame them all- silly bastards are selling their countries security for pieces of silver. One the Chinese technology is in our systems, it will spread like a fire and enable them to steal more of our secrets and our own technology.

 

Their concept of 5G is to monitor everyone of their citizens and enable them to monitor us also.  5G is not just mobile technology it is true artificial intelligence.  It will eventually be able to take the fingerprint and facial scans at Bangkok airport and connect with other information in their huge database.  They think resistance is futile

 

Their concept of convenience is convenience for them to know every bit of data on everyone so they can stay in power forever.

 

The last time I checked, Trump was not in charge of Britain....so he was not defied. he was ignored.

My prediction is that the 35% cap will be breached very quickly but will not make any headlines as Trump's fake issue about Huawei fades into history.

18 hours ago, stevenl said:

Risk to security is just the US excuse, the real reason is they want a bigger slice of the pie.

Not really - there is no 5G technology from the US anywhere on the horizon, Huawei is leading the rest of the world by a couple of years.

7 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

Not really - there is no 5G technology from the US anywhere on the horizon, Huawei is leading the rest of the world by a couple of years.

China seems to be leading the way in developing new technology. Don't think they really need to steal western technology any longer as some posters seem to believe. 

30 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

My prediction is that the 35% cap will be breached very quickly but will not make any headlines as Trump's fake issue about Huawei fades into history.

Its amusing how folks love to mention "Trump" as if he has a clue about Huawei! his teams of experts are advising him! but lets not spoil the story with facts!

More left wing media nonsense!

36 minutes ago, GarryP said:

China seems to be leading the way in developing new technology. Don't think they really need to steal western technology any longer as some posters seem to believe.

Nonsense- the US has had it for the military for years- China never developed it- the US did.  There is no reason for 5G  to be developed for general use simply because  it is not needed for private use.

 

Chinas version is not aimed at mobile but aimed at artificial intelligence. China will have cameras pointed at every person 24 hours a day.  Every movement; every action; every  piece of data about you and on you will be available to the Chinese Government. Every fingerprint you ever had taken; every retinal scan you ever did and every digital picture you have will be in the 5G system/

 

Walk into a bank to make a transaction- you will be recognized by the system - your data will immediately be brought up and your transaction recorded.  Go to a restaurant and you will be recognized- your  waiter will know your favorite  food and drink.  Need a taxi- call out your personal code and a taxit will come to you.  It will be an autonomous vehicle  drivers not needed.

 

All the time- the central AI nerve center will be storing all this data.  The system will know every isue regarding your life.  China wants the World to purchase 5G-  not to make life easier  but to make it easy to follow you; steal your countries secrets and yes technology.

 

5G if accepted Worldwide will mean a complte loss of privacy; will  cause massive unemployment and change tow World for the worse.  

 

JUst because you can build it- doesn't mean you have to.

 

You can take 5G and shove it where the sun doesn't shine/

 

 

5 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Nonsense- the US has had it for the military for years- China never developed it- the US did.  There is no reason for 5G  to be developed for general use simply because  it is not needed for private use.

 

Chinas version is not aimed at mobile but aimed at artificial intelligence. China will have cameras pointed at every person 24 hours a day.  Every movement; every action; every  piece of data about you and on you will be available to the Chinese Government. Every fingerprint you ever had taken; every retinal scan you ever did and every digital picture you have will be in the 5G system/

 

Walk into a bank to make a transaction- you will be recognized by the system - your data will immediately be brought up and your transaction recorded.  Go to a restaurant and you will be recognized- your  waiter will know your favorite  food and drink.  Need a taxi- call out your personal code and a taxit will come to you.  It will be an autonomous vehicle  drivers not needed.

 

All the time- the central AI nerve center will be storing all this data.  The system will know every isue regarding your life.  China wants the World to purchase 5G-  not to make life easier  but to make it easy to follow you; steal your countries secrets and yes technology.

 

5G if accepted Worldwide will mean a complte loss of privacy; will  cause massive unemployment and change tow World for the worse.  

 

JUst because you can build it- doesn't mean you have to.

 

You can take 5G and shove it where the sun doesn't shine/

Huawei is simply much more advanced in their 5G technology. 

 

If what you are saying was true, there would be evidence that these devices were designed to be used for spying. No such evidence exists. 

 

This is typical US. How can you believe them? Turn on the news. All they do is lie, and yet you believe them on this? 

 

They use this same tactic with presidential candidates and whistle blowers they don't like. They throw out accusations with absolutely no evidence. Then the general public sees the headlines: "Huawei spying on America?"... and that is it, their job is done, they can now be #1 again. Free market capitalism when it is convenient, sabotage  and false accusations to sway the public when it is not. 

22 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Nonsense- the US has had it for the military for years- China never developed it- the US did.  There is no reason for 5G  to be developed for general use simply because  it is not needed for private use.

 

Chinas version is not aimed at mobile but aimed at artificial intelligence. China will have cameras pointed at every person 24 hours a day.  Every movement; every action; every  piece of data about you and on you will be available to the Chinese Government. Every fingerprint you ever had taken; every retinal scan you ever did and every digital picture you have will be in the 5G system/

 

Walk into a bank to make a transaction- you will be recognized by the system - your data will immediately be brought up and your transaction recorded.  Go to a restaurant and you will be recognized- your  waiter will know your favorite  food and drink.  Need a taxi- call out your personal code and a taxit will come to you.  It will be an autonomous vehicle  drivers not needed.

 

All the time- the central AI nerve center will be storing all this data.  The system will know every isue regarding your life.  China wants the World to purchase 5G-  not to make life easier  but to make it easy to follow you; steal your countries secrets and yes technology.

 

5G if accepted Worldwide will mean a complte loss of privacy; will  cause massive unemployment and change tow World for the worse.  

 

JUst because you can build it- doesn't mean you have to.

 

You can take 5G and shove it where the sun doesn't shine/

Otherwise known as a TMTphobia... (too much terminator)

8 hours ago, blazes said:

I would have hoped that the UK government might have calculated, cynically, about the economic costs of going this way or that.  The American economy is still the world's largest and so it would make sense to limit Huawei much more than they have been  here.

This comment seems to be based on who has the biggest economy as it’s base consideration.... but... most pundits suggest chinas economy will soon outstrip the US economy, so logically, if economy size is a base consideration... the inclusion of the Chinese seems warranted, over the concerns of a failing nation

8 hours ago, jany123 said:

This comment seems to be based on who has the biggest economy as it’s base consideration.... but... most pundits suggest chinas economy will soon outstrip the US economy, so logically, if economy size is a base consideration... the inclusion of the Chinese seems warranted, over the concerns of a failing nation

Do try to keep in mind that the population of China is 4 times that of the USA's.

12 hours ago, zydeco said:

Even Trump is defying Trump.

Nothing new here. We've seen him flip flop for years.