Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE have effectively been blocked from participating in coming 5G network rollout in Australia due to national security concerns.
The ban on Huawei – one of the world’s largest telecommunications equipment and services providers – was announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison and communications minister Mitch Fifield.
The pair expressed concerns that Huawei, which is also facing scrutiny in the US over alleged links to Beijing, would pose threat to Australia’s national security as it would be subject to the Chinese government influence.
The federal government said in a statement, “The Government considers that the involvement of vendors who are likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law, may risk failure by the carrier to adequately protect a 5G network from unauthorised access or interference”.
“Carriers may still need to apply controls regardless of the vendor they choose. These controls would not displace existing cybersecurity practices or business risk mitigations”, read the statement.
On the other hand, Huawei has expressed its disappointment with the decision: “We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia. This is a extremely disappointing result for consumers. Huawei is a world leader in 5G. Has safely & securely delivered wireless technology in Aust for close to 15 yrs”
https://twitter.com/HuaweiOZ/status/1032411216184930304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1032411216184930304&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scmp.com%2Ftech%2Farticle%2F2160933%2Fchinas-huawei-zte-blocked-australias-5g-network
While the statement did not name individual vendors, ZTE (which has a much smaller presence in Australia) will also face the ban.
The ban came amid a tussle between Beijing and Canberra that has seen Australia shift its foreign aid programmes to win hearts in Pacific nations.
Beijing has also been flexing its muscles in the Pacific and extending loans to the impoverished nations amid Australia’s fears.
