Huawei welcomes UK greenlight on 5G

Huawei has welcomed the United Kingdom's decision to allow the Chinese company to continue building 5G infrastructure in Britain, and says the "evidence-based decision" will ensure that UK networks remain competitive.

On Tuesday the UK government said it will permit mobile operators to use Huawei equipment in non-core areas of future network infrastructure. The decision was announced following a meeting of the National Security Council, chaired by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson alongside top Cabinet ministers and security officials.

"Huawei is reassured by the UK government's confirmation that we can continue working with our customers to keep the 5G roll-out on track," said Huawei Senior Vice-President Zhang Jiangang.

"We have supplied cutting-edge technology to telecoms operators in the UK for more than 15 years. We will build on this strong track record, supporting our customers as they invest in their 5G networks, boosting economic growth and helping the UK continue to compete globally."

Johnson's decision will likely antagonize the United States, which has put pressure on its allies to boycott Huawei over alleged security concerns. The US claims Huawei has and will continue to conduct digital espionage on behalf of China, a claim that Huawei has consistently denied. The US has not provided evidence to support these allegations, and UK security officials have stated they believe any potential threats can be mitigated.

"This evidence-based decision will result in a more advanced, more secure and more cost-effective telecoms infrastructure that is fit for the future," Zhang said. "It gives the UK access to world-leading technology and ensures a competitive market."

Under new guidelines published on Tuesday, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said that Huawei must operate within a market share cap of 35 percent.

"We agree a diverse vendor market and fair competition are essential for network reliability and innovation, as well as ensuring consumers have access to the best possible technology," Zhang said.