Majority of IT experts say Huawei ban won’t damage UK tech industry

THE MAJORITY of IT professionals do not believe the UK’s decision to ban Huawei from 5G will cause long- term damage to the country, new research indicates.

Following the Government’s decision to strip out Huawei equipment by 2027, the Chinese company warned it would “move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide”.

However, a survey by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, found that 53 per cent of IT professionals do not agree with that statement, while just over half ( 51 per cent) said they felt Huawei’s removal would make the UK network safer.

The Government’s decision on Huawei followed advice from the National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC), which said US sanctions imposed on the firm would compromise its ability to safely be a part of 5G networks.

Ahead of the full removal target of 2027, a ban on the purchase of new Huawei 5G equipment will come into force at the end of this year.

The survey of just under 3,000 industry professionals, carried out in response to the decision, found that 48 per cent felt that the 2027 target was feasible, compared to 27 per cent who said they felt it would not be possible.

Dr Bill Mitchell, director of policy at BCS, said no 5G infrastructure was totally trustworthy.

He said: “Huawei’s claim that the UK will somehow be thrown into a dark age without them looks like hubris, according to most IT professionals.

“While our survey results show broad support for the Government’s decision, most experts also feel that no 5G infrastructure can be guaranteed as totally trustworthy.

“The Government’s challenge now is to build on public backing for the Huawei decision, by ensuring standards of high competence, ethics and trust throughout the tech industries, as it develops the alternatives.”