Last Sunday (February 20, 2022), the UK government’s official website announced that it had consulted with telecommunications companies on a proposed legal instrument to control the use of Huawei in UK networks.
After the UK government announced in July 2020 (policy to control the use of Huawei equipment in UK networks), UK telecom providers have already started removing Huawei from UK 5G networks. As the next step in this process, the new Telecommunications (Security) Act now requires the government to consult with industry on proposed measures that would give these controls over Huawei a legal basis.
The legal document being consulted by the UK government, known as the “designated vendor direction”, contains requirements for public telecommunications suppliers to follow when using Huawei equipment and services; and the “designation notice” which regards Huawei as the high-risk supplier.
The consultation will last for four weeks and will only be open to public communications providers who have been instructed and Huawei as the proposed designated supplier.
After consultation, the Directive legally requires telecommunications operators to:
* Remove all Huawei equipment from 5G networks by the end of 2027.
* Not install Huawei equipment on the 5G network, and the final order will take effect immediately after it is issued.
* Remove all Huawei equipment from the core of telecom networks by January 28, 2023.
* Not install sanction-affected Huawei equipment in full-fiber networks, and the order will take effect immediately. This includes any equipment that has altered supply chains or manufacturing processes due to the impact of U.S. sanctions.
* Cut the share of Huawei equipment in full-fibre and 5G access (i.e. non-core) networks to 35% by July 31, 2023, later than previously announced as suppliers face difficulties during the pandemic 6 months.
* Remove Huawei high data rate intra-core and inter-operator transport equipment (hardware that sends data over the network without processing it) from all networks by December 31, 2025.
In July 2020, the UK government announced that it would conduct technical consultations with all-fiber operators on the use of Huawei equipment.
Following the conclusion of the technical consultation, the UK government worked with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to analyse the response. As such, the proposed directive, which includes a ban on the installation of sanctions-affected equipment in full-fiber networks, will take effect from the time Huawei is issued a Designated Supplier Directive.
The UK government believes that preventing future installations of the equipment would address the national security risk posed by Huawei in an all-fibre network, but will take the advice of consultants before making a final decision.
The UK government does not expect this to affect the rollout of faster broadband. The telecommunications industry remains committed to meeting the government’s goal of having at least 85% of the UK with gigabit broadband by 2025.
The NCSC was consulted throughout the process of drafting the consultation document and the Government has given due consideration to the NCSC’s recommendations.
