The UK banned the installation of new Huawei 5G telecom equipment starting in September 2021. The decision marks the latest in an ongoing effort to fully remove equipment made by the Chinese-owned telecom equipment manufacturer from UK networks by 2027, (including an earlier ban on purchases of Huawei equipment that is set to take effect in January). The decisions were made in an effort to remove “high-risk vendors” from the country’s 5G network, with officials citing national security concerns.
More context: Huawei is the world’s largest telecom equipment maker, and is openly considered by the US to be a national security threat. The US charged the company with racketeering and conspiracy to steal trade secrets earlier this year.
