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Some analysts argue that measures that aim to disabuse Chinese investment in the United States do not only contradict the longstanding US policy of encouraging China to participate in the international standardization process, but they are also counterproductive. In an attempt to allay US concerns and avoid provoking a Chinese response, an increasing number of countries are adopting a calmer approach. Some are taking measures that amount to a ban or a ban on Huawei.
India has not completely banned Huawei, but has begun phasing out use of Huawei equipment in future projects and is weighing a formal ban. Lau pointed out that the Swedish ban is aimed at Europe and other countries such as Italy to avoid a confrontation with China, adding that bureaucratic and financial hurdles could lead companies that do not cooperate with Huawei to impose a total ban. Despite an outspoken stance on Huawei, Sweden has other reasons to view China as a threat.
On 20 October, Sweden became the latest country to ban Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from using its 5G network. Swedish telecoms regulator PTS has announced that companies offering 5G services to the country by 2025 will have to remove devices from their infrastructure networks from Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE. In its decision, the Swedish Government did not mince its words about the ban and the threat from China.
Along with the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and France, the country has imposed bans on the use of devices from Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE and ZTE on 5G networks. South Korea is not the only country facing trade-offs because of its growing commitment to Chinese telecommunications equipment. The dilemmas facing South Korean businesses and policymakers as they weigh China’s role in their country’s digital future reflect those of other US allies and like-minded partners.
Meanwhile, mainland China remains at the epicenter of 5G deployment and deployment. Meanwhile, Britain and South Korea are grappling with a decision to allow Huawei to build or divest parts of Britain’s 5G networks by the mid-2020s.
The sheer volume and density of subscribers in megacities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, driven by government guidelines for expanding the 5G network has resulted in over 400,000 5G base stations enabling over 100 million subscribers to be available by August 2020. The Chinese government says that by the end of this year the number will double to 800,000 stations and 200 million subscribers.
If this is achieved in mainland China by the end of 2020, it will represent 70% of the global 5G subscriber base. According to officials, China already has 310 million 5G terminals in China, representing over 80 percent of the world’s total connections. China’s central government has supported the development of 5G infrastructure in the country.
China has national plans to deploy 5G to generate revenue from its home market, improve its industrial system and become a leading provider of telecommunications equipment around the world. South Korea plans to be the first country to deploy the 5G network nationwide and use it to improve its industrial system. In South Korea, the central government is working with telecommunications providers to roll out 5G.
Huawei recently announced 5G customer wins in mainland China with Limit Rain and MTN Group Ltd. in South Africa. The FCC is also developing a comprehensive strategy to use free spectrum for 5G to accelerate adoption. Countries are leading the race for 5G in different ways and in different aspects.
The COVID 19 pandemic has slowed or delayed the roll-out of 5G for many operators, but in some cases it has allowed operators and providers to showcase the value of 5G while fighting the pandemic. In July, London reversed its decision to ban Huawei 5G following a thorough government audit that concluded that it has fixed its myriad coding, security and software flaws and the company’s capacity. Since entering the Korean market in 2007, Huawei has expanded its relationships with domestic stakeholders and deepened South Korea’s digital linkage with China.
In comments to reporters, he said Huawei was not acting on behalf of the Chinese government in international markets. He added that the company undertakes to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates. OnePlus chose Huawei as a 5G provider, in part because of Huawei’s role in the company’s 4G network.
FILE – Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from left, is shown FILE – Chinese President Xi Jinping is shown in the office of Huawei and its president Ren Zhengfei during his state visit in London, Britain, October 21, 2015.
Beijing has given Sweden a last chance to reverse its ban on telecom equipment supplier Huawei Technologies Co. Chinese state media reported that Sweden would retaliate against rival Ericsson AB. The United States has warned other countries that Huawei’s national security is at risk. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that banned American companies from using telephone equipment from companies that pose a national security threat.
In addition to the growing number of small radio masts needed to operate a 5G network, there are thousands of other access points from which threats can access the system. In addition to increasing access to the network, the number of connected devices that can be tapped is also increasing, as the Internet of Things and its connected devices like Nest are increasingly being hacked.
As more online software is used to dictate the flow of data through systems, the volume of data will exceed a telecom companies “capacity to monitor the flow of data through the system”, making it more difficult to detect cyber threats. These weaknesses require coordination between all actors involved in security. While governments can create security standards and policies, telecommunications providers, third-party companies, companies and individuals are responsible for securing their own networks.
