Smith and Thornberry Joint Statement on the U.K.'s Decision to Protect Their Telecom Networks From Huawei

Statement

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (R-TX), today issued the following statement on the U.K.'s decision to ban Huawei from its 5G network:

"The United Kingdom's decision to ban the procurement and deployment of additional Huawei equipment in their 5G telecommunications infrastructure, and the commitment to eliminate Huawei from their networks in the years ahead, is a reassuring development that will benefit not only British security and privacy, but the ability of our countries to work even more closely together on vital security matters. Both our countries have much work ahead to replace Huawei equipment in our networks as soon as possible.

"Technical experts have determined it is impossible for Huawei to have partial access to a country's network without the core network being exposed to significant risk. Given the Chinese government's relationship with Huawei, it is critical that our partners and allies understand the depth and breadth of the risk posed by the company's involvement in the development of their respective 5G infrastructure.

"Our countries must continue working together to accelerate real innovation and competition in telecommunications. Today's decision is a critical step by our nation's closest ally to protect their telecommunications networks and assure our ability to share information freely with the United Kingdom."

Source