The government has given the green light for Chinese company Huawei to play a role in the UK’s roll out of next generation 5G technology.
Despite security fears Ministers have said the company can provide components for the network.
But with limitations.
They can only provide parts for 35% of the total network and will not be allowed to control the technology’s roll out entirely in any city.
The company is also to be excluded from safety-critical networks in critical infrastructure and from the network in sensitive locations.
But America has long opposed the company having even a small part in the network, saying promises by UK spy chiefs that it won’t give the Chinese government some access are naive.
The company has consistently denied having an intelligence sharing relationship with the government in Beijing.
Digital Secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan said: “We want world-class connectivity as soon as possible but this must not be at the expense of our national security. High risk vendors never have been and never will be in our most sensitive networks.
“The government has reviewed the supply chain for telecoms networks and concluded today it is necessary to have tight restrictions on the presence of high risk vendors.
“This is a UK-specific solution for UK-specific reasons and the decision deals with the challenges we face right now.
“It not only paves the way for secure and resilient networks, with our sovereignty over data protected, but it also builds on our strategy to develop a diversity of suppliers.
“We can now move forward and seize the huge opportunities of 21st century technology.”
A number of former senior Tory ministers have warned that the decision will endanger Britain’s security relationship with the United States.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News: “If we are going to introduce Huawei into 5G I would put a time bar on it. I would cap their involvement. I would scrutinise it very carefully.”
He said the UK should get together with its 5 Eyes partners to develop our own version of the tech
“Let’s get together and create a 5G so that in a couple of years’ time we can move to our own system,” he said.
“We don’t know the connections between Huawei and the Chinese army, we don’t know the connections between Huawei and its own intelligence communities. Every single bit of device that comes into this country will need to be checked, that will cost money itself.
“So we are going to embrace Huawei now, that’s understood because we want to move forward with 5G, but I would like to see our own system developed.”
He was joined by Tory MP Bob Seely, who is standing to be chair of the Commons’ foreign affairs select committee.
The former army captain told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The danger is that you allow China leverage into your system, into your critical national infrastructure if you allow Huawei in.
“China is building a surveillance state, the kind of which the world has not seen, and I don’t think we’ve thought through what that means for the next century in terms of human freedom and data privacy.”
The Henry Jackson Centre’s Matthew Henderson said that MPs were already planning to try and stop or delay the decision.
He said: “This decision risks jeopardising the UK’s national security.
“The Government now needs to bring legislation forward to gain parliamentary approval for its plans.
“Any such Bill will of course be amendable. If MPs are not satisfied by the Government’s explanations they would be well within their rights to reject or substantially amend any Bill before them.
“We are aware of substantive – if emergent – efforts amongst parliamentarians to pursue such a course.”
Whitehall sources insist that total ban for the company would have delayed 5G as well as full fibre’s rollout by two to three years and stripped “tens of billions of pounds” out of the UK economy.
Huawei’s vice-president Victor Zhang welcomed the move.
He said: “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.
“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.
“We have supplied cutting-edge technology to telecoms operators in the UK for more than 15 years.
“We will build on this strong track record, supporting our customers as they invest in their 5G networks, boosting economic growth and helping the UK continue to compete globally.
“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.”
