Australia Bans Huawei, ZTE From Supplying Technology For Its 5G Network (techcrunch.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Australia has blocked Huawei and ZTE from providing equipment for its 5G network, which is set to launch commercially next year. In a tweet, Huawei stated that the Australian government told the company that both it and ZTE are banned from supplying 5G technology to the country, despite Huawei's assurances that it does not pose a threat to national security. Earlier today, the Australian government issued new security guidelines for 5G carriers. Although it did not mention Huawei, ZTE or China specifically, it did strongly hint at them by stating "the Government considers that the involvement of vendors who are likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from foreign government that conflict with Australian law, may risk failure by the carrier to adequately protect a 5G network from unauthorized access or interference." In its new security guidelines, the Australian government stated that differences in the way 5G operates compared to previous network generations introduces new risks to national security. In particular, it noted the diminishing distinctions between the core network, where more sensitive functions like access control and data routing occur, and the edge, or radios that connect customer equipment, like laptops and mobile phones, to the core. Huawei Australia said in a statement: "We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia. This is a extremely disappointing result for consumers. Huawei is a world leader in 5G. Has safely & securely delivered wireless technology in Aust for close to 15 yrs."

Comments

Any Evidence??

[pablo_max]

I have heard a lot of people screaming about these two companies, but so far, no one has produced any evidence of wrong doing. At least not that I have read about.

Is this just cold war scaremongering or is there actually something behind it.

It seems like a political statement more than anything. Perhaps some protectionism for other network infrastructure providers. Huawei has dominated in LTE. It is actually hard to find a network configuration that is not Huawei at the moment.

Re: Any Evidence??

[Nadir]

As opposed to the morally loose fascist country of the United States of America.

Re: Any Evidence??

[Anonymous Coward]

American companies arenÃ(TM)t partly owned by the government.

Correct. Here in the United States, the government is owned by the American companies.

we only let america spy on us

[redback]

We don't want china to spy on us, we only let america do that.

Why not Cisco?

[ArhcAngel]

How many back doors have discovered in Cisco switches and routers in the last year? If you don't know they are in double digit territory.