Global CEO of Huawei, Mr Hu Hou-Kun (Ken Hu). (, Australian Financial Review)
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, China`s telecommunications giant Huawei may be banned from the construction of the 5G (5th Generation Mobile Network Technology) network in Australia because of national security concerns.
Huawei to be subject to Security Assessment
The Australian Financial Review reported last month that (Critical Infrastructure Centre), a key infrastructure centre under the Australian Ministry of Internal Affairs, would conduct a national security assessment of Huawei. Under a law passed last year, the federal government has the power to require telecom operators to take action to eliminate national security threats. In response to the assessment, the Home Affairs Department said: "the Australian government is aware that new technologies such as 5G could pose new threats and security loopholes."
Huawei was banned from bidding for Australia`s national broadband network (NBN) project in 2012, and 5G is expected to replace the national broadband network as the preferred way for the public to access the network, it is understood.
While showcasing its 5G technology, Huawei issued a statement accusing the United States of attempting to "curb" Huawei`s global operations at the World Mobile Conference (Mobile World Congress) held in Barcelona recently.
Mitchell (Jeremy Mitchell), Huawei`s head of Australian corporate affairs, said Huawei had gained the trust of governments and customers in 170 countries. Huawei has less cyber security risks than other ICT makers, as well as global supply chains and capacity.
Mitchell said the company will not be easily spooked by the US backlash, stressing that it has the strongest 5G technology in the world, based on customer demand.
It is understood that the verbal battle between Huawei and the United States may bring Huawei customers, including Odus (Optus) and Vodafone (Vodafone), to a "showdown" level in their relations with the Tam Po Government`s Department of National Security. Mobile operators may insist that Huawei can offer the best-priced products and that any security concerns can be addressed, as the British government has done. Britain has not restricted Huawei`s co-operation with the local telecommunications industry.
The United States boosts the waves
Earlier in a meeting in Washington with (National Security Agency) and (Department of Homeland Security), the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Australian Prime Minister Tan Bao briefly expressed U.S. concerns about China`s involvement in the construction of Australia`s 5G network.
They believe that Huawei`s communications equipment has a certain security risk. Huawei has close ties with the Chinese government, allowing China to gain control of the 5G network, allowing it to take control of these security concerns.
U.S. officials have long claimed that Huawei`s hardware could come with a "backdoor" program that would allow the Chinese government to monitor users` communications and eventually control the 5G infrastructure.
Are Australian experts again suffering from "phobia"?
Australia will launch a 5G network service. (photo by Australian Financial Review)
It is reported that the 5G network speed will be much higher than the current 4G network speed, such as driverless cars and other high-tech innovation products to meet the high-speed requirements. With the increasing dependence of users on high network speed, 5G technology will become the core of future infrastructure construction.
Hansen (Fergus Hanson) of (Australian Strategic Policy Institute), Australia`s Strategic Policy Research Institute, is worried about Huawei`s involvement in the construction of Australia`s 5G network or security loopholes, saying Huawei facilities could be exploited by authorities. He said the Australian government is currently discussing how to deal with the issue, but the final results remain unclear.
Hanson said that if the Australian government can not give clear instructions to telecommunications operators, or impact on the Australian telecommunications market. For example, if a company decides to use more expensive technology instead of Huawei technology, it may face competitive pressure to use Huawei technology. Or when a company uses Huawei technology and the government decides to ban Huawei, it will have to pay a large amount of compensation. He pointed out that it was necessary for the government to take a stand immediately.
