Huawei NZ’s 5G future gets brighter
China’s Huawei could be back in the 5G business in New Zealand after the British government approved the limited use of its equipment to build 5G networks in the United Kingdom.
Huawei NZ deputy managing director Andrew Bowater has meanwhile revealed the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) continued to approve 4G and fixed-network upgrades using the company’s technology, after blocking it from
5G in 2018, calling that ironic. Phone companies need the GCSB’s approval for major network changes, under the Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security Act (Ticsa). But the GCSB blocked a proposal by Spark to use Huawei equipment in its 5G network in
2018, citing security concerns. Britain’s decision lets telecommunications companies there use Huawei 5G radio-access network (Ran) equipment on their cellphone towers, but Huawei cannot supply the more ‘‘intelligent’’ parts of their core 5G networks.
The GCSB and its British equivalent, GCHQ, have strong ties in the ‘‘five eyes’’ alliance. The British compromise is expected to clear the way for Spark to submit a revised plan to use Hauwei equipment in its 5G network and for 2degrees to also submit a proposal to use Huawei equipment to upgrade to 5G, although 2degrees said it would not comment on that at this stage.
Bowater said in 2018 that the New Zealand government managed the perceived issues associated with Huawei in part by drawing on the expertise of Britain’s security service.
All network upgrades Huawei carried out in New Zealand were evaluated by a cyber-security centre in Britain overseen by the GCHQ, which fed its results through to the GCSB, he said.
Commenting on the British ruling, GCSB director-general Andrew Hampton said: ‘‘All Ticsa notifications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with decisions made in accordance with New Zealand legislation and policy.’’
Spark said last year that it hoped to use Ran equipment from Nokia, Samsung and Huawei in its 5G network and spokeswoman Ellie Cross said it was interested in the approach taken in Britain.
‘‘We have already gained government approval for our initial 5G roll-out last year using Nokia equipment,’’ Cross said.
‘‘For our upcoming 5G rollouts, we will work through the approval process in due course with Nokia and our other vendors Samsung and Huawei, prior to any deployment of their equipment.’’