British mobile operators will be banned from selling locked phones

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has banned mobile operators from selling locked phones after December 2021.

Locking mobiles to specific networks often causes confusion for consumers and prevents them from switching at the end of their contracts.

Selina Chadha, Connectivity Director at Ofcom, said:

“We know that lots of people can be put off from switching because their handset is locked.

So we’re banning mobile companies from selling locked phones, which...

27 October 2020 | Legislation & Government

Italy has reportedly blocked a 5G deal between Huawei and Fastweb

Italy has reportedly blocked a 5G deal between Huawei and Swisscom-owned telco Fastweb.

According to multiple sources for Reuters, the Italian government stepped in to block a deal for Huawei to supply Fastweb with 5G core network equipment.

Many European countries have either banned or restricted the use of Huawei’s equipment but Rome is yet to announce its stance. If the reports are true, it would seem Italy looks set to take a strong stance against the Chinese...

26 October 2020 | Legislation & Government

Sweden bans Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks

Sweden has decided to ban Chinese telecoms vendors Huawei and ZTE from its rollout of 5G networks.

In a statement, the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority said that the “influence of China’s one-party state over the country’s private sector brings with it strong incentives for privately-owned companies to act in accordance with state goals and the communist party’s national strategies.”

Sweden’s decision comes after increasing US-led pressure to ban Chinese...

20 October 2020 | Legislation & Government

Canadian telcos may need to fight to get Huawei equipment compensation

Canada’s telecoms operators may be in for a fight to get compensation if the government bans Huawei’s equipment.

Ottawa is currently deciding whether to follow its allies such as the UK and Australia in banning Chinese vendor Huawei’s telecoms equipment.

Reuters reports that Ottawa’s government doesn’t appear to be willing to offer compensation if Huawei’s equipment is banned.

“I’m not sure there is a solid legal case that we would have to...

15 September 2020 | Legislation & Government

India is the latest country preparing to ban Huawei from its 5G

India is set to become the latest country to ban Chinese telecoms vendors Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks.

New rules will prevent any bids from countries which India shares a land border with under amended investment rules that cite concerns over national security.

Earlier this year, a brutal clash between Chinese and Indian troops at a decades-old disputed Himalayan border left a trail of fatalities – many soldiers were beaten to death with barbed wire clubs, or...

14 August 2020 | Legislation & Government

Experts say the Huawei ban will not put the UK ‘into the digital slow lane’

A poll of experts suggests the Huawei ban will not put the UK "into the digital slow lane," as the company has warned.

The polling was conducted by The Chartered Institute for IT and gathered the opinions of 3,000 professionals.

More than half of the experts surveyed said they do not believe Huawei’s claims that its ban will harm the country's digital prospects and push up bills. Around 20 percent weren't sure.

In contrast, the majority of those surveyed...

7 August 2020 | Legislation & Government

Huawei has been officially banned from the UK’s 5G networks

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has informed MPs of the government’s decision to ban Huawei from the UK’s 5G networks.

The Chinese vendor’s equipment must be removed from Britain’s networks by 2027 but operators are banned from purchasing Huawei’s equipment from 31st December.

"This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, both now and indeed in the long run," Dowden...

14 July 2020 | Legislation & Government

The UK wants the ‘Five Eyes’ to fund and procure Huawei alternatives

The UK is turning to its “Five Eyes” partners and beyond to find a replacement to Huawei’s equipment amid increasing security concerns.

Huawei has been cautiously welcomed in the UK’s telecoms networks for decades as relations between London and Beijing have enjoyed a relatively harmonious period. However, with 5G being used for ever more critical applications, Western countries are concerned about the influence foreign powers may have within their...

13 July 2020 | Legislation & Government

UK report suggests US sanctions have increased Huawei security risk

A leaked UK report suggests that US sanctions on Huawei have increased the vendor's security risk, which may lead to an earlier ban.

The UK decided earlier this year to permit Huawei’s equipment in a limited role – a decision which received significant backlash from allies, several MPs, and even human rights groups.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly ordered ministers to create plans to end the use of Huawei’s equipment in national 5G networks entirely by...

6 July 2020 | Legislation & Government

Ex-officials claim cyber attack on Australia was revenge for Huawei ban

Former Australian officials claim a “state-based” cyber attack was launched on the country in revenge for banning Huawei’s telecoms equipment.

Australian PM Scott Morrison announced last week that a suspected state-sponsored cyber attack targeted critical infrastructure and the government.

"We know it is a sophisticated state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting," Morrison said at a press briefing.

Morrison stopped at...

22 June 2020 | Legislation & Government