Australia banned China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE from supplying next-generation wireless equipment to the nation’s telecom operators, the latest blow in an escalating global battle over network security.
The government on Thursday gave carriers new security guidance for fifth-generation mobile technology and warned that using government-linked suppliers would risk breaching their obligations. The nature of 5G technology means security protocols governing earlier networks won’t sufficiently protect against national security threats, according to a statement from Treasurer Scott Morrison and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield.
The statement didn’t identify ZTE or Huawei, which Australia’s security agencies have recommended be barred from supplying 5G technology. Huawei’s Australia operation later put out a statement making clear it wouldn’t be able to compete as carriers prepare to spend billions on the new technology.
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“We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia,” the company said on Twitter. “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.”
The Chinese equipment makers have also come under fire in the US, where regulators have proposed banning telecom companies from using federal subsidies to buy from companies like Huawei and ZTE that pose a national security risk. Huawei and ZTE have disputed they represent any such risk.
Huawei, China’s largest maker of telecommunications equipment, already supplies Australian wireless carriers, including Vodafone Group. It has been in talks with the government in an attempt to accommodate the domestic security requirements in order to win a share of Australia’s 5G equipment market.
But that effort appears to have fallen short. The ministers warned in their statement, “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.”
Huawei, founded in 1988 by former Chinese army officer Ren Zhengfei, and its rival ZTE, have come under increased scrutiny in the US over fears their equipment could be used for spying.
Nevertheless, Huawei has said it has rolled out technology in the UK, Canada, Germany and Spain without compromising national security.
