BT has begun replacing Huawei equipment in its networks with technology from Ericsson for its 4G and 5G core infrastructure.
After a multi-year security review, the UK government decided in January to permit limited use of Huawei equipment, but imposed strict conditions on that decision.
Key restrictions include a ban on Huawei equipment in any core network and a cap restricting Huawei-supplied Radio Access Network (RAN) components to no more than 35 percent of any operator’s RAN. In addition, Huawei kit is prohibited from being deployed near military bases, nuclear facilities, and other highly sensitive sites.
BT announced it will deploy Ericsson’s cloud-native, container-based mobile packet core solution to replace Huawei’s components in its 4G and 5G core network.
Howard Watson, BT’s chief technology and information officer, said:
“Having evaluated different 5G core vendors, we have selected Ericsson as the best option on the basis of both lab performance and future roadmap.
We are looking forward to working together as we build out our converged 4G and 5G core network across the UK.”
Earlier this year BT estimated the UK’s restrictions on Huawei would cost the company around £500 million. In that announcement BT reiterated that network security is a top priority and noted the company’s long-standing policy of not using Huawei equipment in core network elements.
The UK decision attracted criticism from a number of quarters, including some politicians. Conservative MP Bob Seely stated his view that Huawei had close ties to the Chinese state and warned that allowing the firm broad access to UK networks posed security risks.
The United States has consistently argued that Huawei is influenced by Beijing and presents a national security risk. As a close intelligence partner of the US, the UK faced significant pressure from American officials to impose a full ban on Huawei equipment.
Prior to the UK decision, US intelligence shared a dossier with British counterparts outlining perceived security concerns related to Huawei’s involvement in 5G networks.
Reports also surfaced that, following the UK announcement, a phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Boris Johnson became tense; Johnson subsequently postponed planned visits to the US later that year.
The UK government set a deadline of January 2023 for network operators to remove Huawei equipment from core networks. BT’s move to adopt Ericsson’s cloud-native core is intended to ensure compliance well ahead of that deadline.
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