Legal documents have been issued to 35 UK operators today informing operators that Huawei technology must be removed from 5G public networks by the end of 2027.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advised the UK government to ban Huawei in 5G due to sanctions imposed by the US government in 2020.
Huawei has been issued a designation notice which outlines the vendor as ‘high-risk’ to 5G network equipment and services as well as reasons it poses a national security risk.
This includes: an immediate ban on the installation of new Huawei equipment in 5G networks; removal of all Huawei equipment from 5G networks by the end of 2027; removal of Huawei equipment from the network core by December 31 2023; requirements to limit Huawei to 35 per cent of the full fibre access network by October 31 2023, removal of Huawei equipment from sites significant to national security by January 28 2023, requirement not to install any Huawei equipment affected by sanctions in full fibre networks.
Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “We must have confidence in the security of our phone and internet networks which underpin so much about our economy and everyday lives.
“Thanks to this government’s tough new laws we can drive up the security of telecoms infrastructure and control the use of high-risk equipment.
“Today I’m using these powers and making it a legal requirement for Huawei to be removed from 5G networks by 2027.”
Huawei has not made an official statement, but a spokesperson said they are disappointed by the decision from the UK government as the vendor has worked closely with UK operators for more than 20 years.
Huawei are particularly disappointed as they say customers have always valued its track record for ‘security, reliability and quality.’
