Huawei is just one step from winning the A $ one hundred and nineteen million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine Perth Railway contract. (photo by Australian Financial Review)
Huawei, the Chinese communications giant, could still win a large A $ one hundred and nineteen million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine contract for communications projects, despite the federal government`s heavy restrictions and strong opposition from some national security experts, the Australian Financial Review reported.
It is understood that Huawei may "soon" win the approval of the Western Australian government to build a new 4G communications system for Perth`s urban rail system. Because the communication system will control the signal and operation of the railway system, and finally realize the unmanned target of the train network, the contract of the project involves the national security problem and has the potential sensitivity.
It is reported that ZTE, another Chinese telecommunications company, has also been shortlisted for the final selection of the Western Australian government`s bid for the project.
Australia`s Home Office has taken steps to limit Huawei`s involvement in other state government network laying projects. Still, the war against Huawei`s technology or national security has been a major victory for Huawei.
The Western Australian government did not confirm Huawei`s bid, but said in a statement that it had sought advice from federal and private security companies. As a result of the consultation, the Western Australia Public Transport Authority (PTA) will place "additional safety measures" in the system. A spokesman for the agency said, "operational security is a top priority."
One industry informant told reporters that the series of security measures related to the Ministry of the Interior`s newly developed "strict conditions" for the use of the network system, including that the system could never be used for education, All other government activities, including police operations and fire fighting, run counter to the much-advocated integration of services and will further increase the cost of the project.
Former senior Australian intelligence official Babbage (Ross Babbage) said allowing Huawei to build the network would pose many potential risks. He said it was difficult for the federal government to prevent Western Australia from handing the project over to Huawei without causing a major diplomatic accident. "I don`t think these companies (Huawei and ZTE) can play a big role in Australia," he said.
Babbage also pointed out that some state agencies are not aware of the threat posed by Chinese companies. While his claims resonate on national security issues, only two Chinese companies meet all the technical requirements listed in the contract, according to people familiar with the matter. The government had been granted permission to contract works to Huawei or ZTE to a Chinese company before deciding on the final list of units earlier this year, the person familiar with the matter said.
It is understood that Huawei has won a similar project contract in Australia, will be responsible for the laying of the Sydney railway network, and it will provide Perth with 4G communications network services than the Sydney Railway contract technology is more advanced. In addition, Huawei also has a new state emergency center (NSW Ambulance) contract.
