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UK proposes 'limited' role for Huawei in UK infrastructure

Senior officials have proposed a limited role for Huawei in the UK's 5G infrastructure build out ahead of Britain’s National Security Council meeting next week. That meeting will determine how the vendor's technology could be used without risk to UK security. The news first broke on the Reuters website.

Steve Papa, CEO, Parallel Wireless commented on the statement, “Even though Huawei technology will play a role in the development of the UK’s 5G networks, mobile operators should look at how they can use more secure and flexible technology suppliers. Operators need more competition in their supply chains, promoting more innovation, and reducing the cost of improving rural 4G and rolling-out 5G.

“Operators in Europe have already seen the value in this approach. Vodafone is planning to put its entire European network up for tender to technology suppliers that can enable more open networks. This is a good opportunity for the UK’s telecoms industry to re-evaluate the technology it is using and change the economics of delivering connectivity to their customers.”