Huawei Australia confirmed on Twitter this morning that it has been effectively banned from supplying equipment to Australia’s 5G networks, despite having equipment behind existing carrier networks in Australia delivering 3G and 4G.
We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia. 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
— Huawei Australia (@HuaweiOZ) August 22, 2018
The ban was also announced this morning by the departments of Home Affairs and Communications in a statement this morning. It did not specifically refer to the Chinese vendors, but Huawei’s statement confirms the impact. The government noted that “the government considers that the 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.”
There’s little doubt that the ban on Huawei and ZTE equipment will have a major impact on carriers’ 5G plans, as they will most likely have to spend more to source equipment from other major vendors.
The government hasn’t made any clear statement justifying the ban, except to cite unspecified security concerns.
We’ve approached Huawei Australia for further comment.
Geez jus at taking hits of late. Will be interesting to see if all this eventually trickles into and impacts their ambitions of becoming the largest mobile phone manufacturer. I suppose the execs are probably thinking thank goodness for the “developing world”.
Yeah. I want Australia to spy on me, not China. ;-P
Hmm, hope they are going to be banning american suppliers as well then …
Finally, some good news.
I wouldn’t call it good news at all. I hate to think how much more expensive things will now be because two of the most competitive providers of network equipment have been prevented from participating in a huge infrastructure project.
I mean, if you look at how the libs screwed up the NBN project, look at all the opportunities for them to screw up 5G as well …
This is a really disappointing comment from you Chris, you have let your political opinion get in the way of a very serious security issue.
The decision made in regards to this issue shouldn’t be pointed towards which party is in governance in Australia. This issue extends past just our borders and is a very serious global security issue, just go ask England….
Love the site BTW and hope to continue to do so.
I’m not convinced that this isn’t a political decision first and foremost, with ambiguous, nonspecific security trotted out as that old tried and tested justification.
I don’t see how, if we’re so worried about Chinese componentry in 5G networks, that we’re not worried at all about the involvement of the same kind of technology in things such as our 3G and 4G networks, large swathes of non-NBN broadband infrastructure, our public transport infrastructure, our financial systems and everything else.
But hey, perhaps I’m naive.