UK Telecoms Operators Planning To Stockpile Huawei Equipment Amid US Tensions
In a written request from the government, UK telecoms providers have been asked to stockpile on Huawei equipment, amid fears that the recent sanctions imposed by the US could damage supply levels.
In the weeks leading up to the request, the UK had set out plans to phase out Huawei infrastructure from its nationwide 5G plans - Despite this, a maximum of 35% of the network could be kept by Huawei in non-core areas, such as base stations and antennas that deliver communications to the handsets on the 5G network, as opposed to core elements such as data centres, where phone users’ details are generally stored.
We know the US has heavily scrutinised Huawei’s mobile chips, and this decision from the UK has only further infuriated them.
There are also further developments for Huawei to construct a 400 million pound research and development complex in Cambridge - Huawei is pushing hard to increase its R&D focus, with investment targeted to increase five-fold by 2025.
Although Huawei has received such heavy scrutiny, it still plays a major role in the UK’s broadband network, both for 3G and 4G, and soon to be 5G, once the network begins to rollout on a larger scale.
Written by Harrison Jones