#Huawei urges UK to ignore 'groundless criticism' and avoid #5G U-turn

Huawei has hit out at the “groundless criticism” of its involvement in the UK’s rollout of 5G rollout, warning that a decision to cut it out of British infrastructure would do a “disservice” to the country, writes Carly Page.

The company’s UK chief, Victor Zhang, laid out his concerns in an open letter that was published following reports that a Tory rebellion was once again planning to challenge Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G network.

The challenge, which will reportedly be made in the summer, comes after the MPs last month failed to overturn a decision by Boris Johnson to grant the Huawei a “limited role” in the development of the country’s 5G infrastructure. The rebel MPs fear Huawei is working for the Chinese government and putting the UK’s security at risk and are calling for its technology removed from the 5G network by the end of 2022.

However, in his letter published on Monday (13 April), Zhang highlighted Huawei’s already extensive role in Britain’s data network, and said the firm was “focused on keeping Britain connected” during the “unprecedented” coronavirus pandemic.

He said data usage had increased by at least 50% since COVID-19 first reached the UK, placing “significant pressure” on telecoms systems. “That’s why reliable mobile and broadband networks are crucial. During this pandemic our engineers – designated ‘essential’ workers – are striving around the clock to keep Britain connected. We have built trust in our UK business over 20 years by helping our customers – the mobile network operators – provide consumers with affordable, reliable calls and data,” Zhang said.

“Despite this, there has been groundless criticism from some about Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G rollout. And there are those who choose to continue to attack us without presenting any evidence. Disrupting our involvement in the 5G rollout would do Britain a disservice,” he added.

According to Huawei, telecom systems in the UK are under severe stress as the usage of home internet has shot up by 50% due to the national lockdown. “We have built trust in our UK business over 20 years by helping our customers – the mobile network operators – provide consumers with affordable, reliable calls and data.

"Despite this, there has been groundless criticism from some about Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G rollout,” Zhang wrote. Hitting out at the those criticizing the company, he added, “And there are those who choose to continue to attack us without presenting any evidence.”

Zhang’s note is somewhat curiously timed. In the UK, conspiracy theories linking the global COVID-19 outbreak to the rollout of 5G has lead to phone masts across the country being set alight. According to reports, some 20 masts were attacked over the Easter weekend, in some cases destroying critical infrastructure used by the emergency services. Matt Warman, the minister for digital infrastructure, described the attacks as being “irresponsible and idiotic”.

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