Don’t use Huawei’s 5G equipment, US warns British networks
Ladesope Ladelokun
An official leading Washington’s campaign against Huawei, the world’s second-biggest smartphone maker, Ambassador Rob Strayer, has hinted that the United Kingdom’s wireless carriers building the fifth generation networks with Huawei Technologies Co. equipment will soon be held down by the US export ban on key components.
Strayer says the US export ban would make an investment in 5G technology extremely risky, warning that there is no future for the supply chain underpinning Huawei 5G technology.
“In some ways, our export ban will stop that technology, so it seems to me a business decision that is rather risky at this point in time,” he said.
Recall that phone carrier BT Group Plc launched 5G in six cities last month using Huawei radio equipment. Rival Vodafone Group Plc will launch 5G in July and is also set to use Huawei for some of its initial networks.
Strayer said phone companies decided not to look the way of Huawei phones for their 5G launches because they knew supply was in jeopardy. The White House had expressed fears that the Chinese government could use Huawei to spy or disrupt critical national infrastructure.
Meanwhile, phone companies say banning Huawei’s 5G technology would not only incur heavy costs but delays in rolling out 5G. But Strayer has dismissed estimates from carriers on the cost of a Huawei ban as exaggerated.
