Huawei in fightback over UK tech fears by Matt Oliver

HUAWEI has pledged to bring forward plans to address British security concerns within four months.

The promise comes after officials from GCHQ’s cyber-security arm said they had not yet had a ‘credible’ response from the Chinese telecoms group.

They have warned technical issues with Huawei equipment – used throughout the UK’s mobile and internet networks – could leave it open to hackers.

At the same time, Huawei is under pressure in western countries over US claims its kit could be tapped by the Chinese government for spying, a claim the firm has repeatedly denied.

The company has promised to spend at least £1.5bn to address British concerns.

And yesterday Ryan Ding, head of Huawei’s carrier business group, said a ‘global and comprehensive’ plan was expected to be approved within weeks.

It faces bans on its equipment being used for new 5G mobile networks in the US, Australia and New Zealand, while in the UK officials are yet to say whether it will be allowed in. The US has led calls for restrictions on firm, but yesterday President Trump appeared to extend an olive branch.

He tweeted: ‘I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible.

‘I want the United States to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies.’