Huawei will be dumped over 5G security risks after a damning intelligence report said that within seven years mobile infrastructure could be compromised
Huawei technology will be axed from Britain’s 5G network after an intelligence report warned that the security risks surrounding the Chinese telecoms giant are too severe.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has concluded that Huawei’s products are not secure after the US issued new sanctions against the firm, which will make its microchips unsafe.
The Daily Mail can reveal that intelligence chiefs have also warned that they can only guarantee the security of the 5G mobile phone network from Chinese spying for seven years.
Huawei technology will be dumped from Britain's 5G network due to fears over security risks
Ministers are expected to be asked to approve the ban on the purchase of any new Huawei kit by the end of this year in a dramatic U-turn, according to The Mail on Sunday.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who has received the NCSC report, is also planning to recommend that Huawei technology is stripped out of all Britain’s telecom networks, possibly by the end of 2029.
The Government is facing a rebellion from more than 60 Tory MPs who have signalled that they will vote against including Huawei in the telecoms security bill.
The NCSC review was launched after US sanctions outlawed any US patented technology used in the firm’s microchips.
Intelligence officials believe this will render them unsafe because Asian alternatives – considered less trustworthy – will have to be used instead.
The National Cyber Security revealed that Huawei’s products are not secure after the US issued new sanctions against the firm, meaning its microchips are unsafe
A security source told The Sunday Times: ‘Huawei is in a position without any easy fixes or loopholes. This fundamentally changes the calculation.
‘The impacts are so severe that, given the need to give clarity to industry, there will be a decision taken and Parliament will be notified this month.’
The NCSC – part of GCHQ, the Government’s intelligence and security organisation – has long-standing concerns that after seven years they may not be able to minimise the security risks of using Huawei equipment.
Spy chiefs blamed uncertainty over fast-evolving technologies. A source privy to a conversation among spy chiefs about the seven-year time limit told the Mail: ‘They can only guarantee the security of the network for seven years.’
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the Government wanted to be confident the network was ‘secure’ when it made a decision about Huawei.
In an article for the Financial Times, former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers wrote: ‘There are now sound technical reasons for the UK to change January’s decision, which would have allowed Huawei to have an up to 35 per cent stake in the UK’s 5G market, and exclude the company instead.’
Intelligence chiefs at NCSC – part of GCHQ, has long-standing concerns that they may not be able to minimise the security risks surrounding Huawei after seven years
He said the US sanctions meant that ‘UK intelligence services can no longer provide assurances’ that Chinese equipment is safe to use in the UK’s network.
US officials have warned repeatedly that they believe Huawei could be used as a backdoor for spying by the Chinese state.
Huawei hit back yesterday. Spokesman Paul Harrison accused the UK of allowing President Donald Trump to dictate its policy.
And Victor Zhang, vice-president of Huawei, said: ‘All our products and solutions use technology and components over which the UK government has strict oversight. Our technology is already extensively used in 5G networks across the country
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