Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has informed MPs that the government will ban Huawei equipment from the UK’s 5G networks.
Operators are prohibited from buying Huawei’s 5G equipment after 31 December, and existing Huawei 5G kit must be removed from UK networks by 2027.
“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 said.
Dowden warned the decision is likely to delay the UK’s 5G rollout by about a year.
A spokesperson for Huawei UK, Ed Brewster, criticised the move, saying:
“This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone. It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide. Instead of ‘levelling up’ the government is levelling down and we urge them to reconsider. We remain confident that the new US restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK.
Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicised; this is about US trade policy and not security. Over the past 20 years, Huawei has focused on building a better connected UK. As a responsible business, we will continue to support our customers as we have always done.
We will conduct a detailed review of what today’s announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain.”
The government said there is no security justification to remove Huawei’s 2G, 3G and 4G equipment, so that kit can continue to be used.
Pressed by those calling for a faster ban, Dowden argued that shortening the timetable for removal would increase the risk of disruption to mobile networks.
Huawei UK chairman resigns
Lord John Browne, Huawei UK’s first independent chairman, submitted his resignation in the days before the announcement. He has given two months’ notice and will step down officially in September; his term was due to end in March next year.
Three non-executive directors remain on Huawei UK’s board:
- Sir Mike Rake, former BT Group chairman.
- Sir Andrew Cahn, former head of UK Trade & Investment.
- Sir Ken Olisa, Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and former deputy chairman of the Institute of Directors.
A Huawei spokesperson praised Lord Browne’s contribution since 2015: “He brought a wealth of experience that has been vital in ensuring Huawei’s commitment to corporate governance in the UK. He has been central to our efforts here over the past 20 years, and we thank him for his valuable contribution.”
A turbulent year for policy
Earlier in the year, the UK allowed Huawei a limited role in its 5G networks, a position at odds with close partners such as the US and Australia, which have imposed full bans.
That earlier decision provoked criticism from allies, some MPs and human rights organisations. Tensions with Beijing—over issues including Hong Kong and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic—have since sharpened, prompting the government to reassess its approach.
Allegations have been made that Huawei contributed technology used in surveillance of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang; Huawei denies involvement. Concerns about ties between Huawei and the Chinese state have also been raised by former intelligence officials, who warn of potential civil–military fusion.
Huawei has supplied equipment to UK networks for decades and all major operators have used its products. Removing the vendor’s gear will be costly and complex. Previously, BT estimated that restricting Huawei’s equipment—even without a full ban—could cost around £500 million.
BT chief executive Philip Jansen has previously said that fully removing Huawei from UK 5G could take five to seven years, and removing the company from all telecoms infrastructure might take up to a decade.
As 5G becomes integral to critical services, Western governments are increasingly wary of allowing equipment from suppliers perceived to be under the influence of foreign states into sensitive networks.
Sourcing alternatives
The US has designated Huawei as a national security threat, and sanctions have intensified pressure on Chinese telecom vendors operating in Western markets.
Following US sanctions, the UK commissioned a report on the viability of continuing to use Huawei equipment. A leaked draft suggested that restrictions could force the company to rely on less trusted technology, potentially increasing risks.
The UK has begun consulting close allies—especially those in the Five Eyes partnership and other democratic partners—about funding and rapidly procuring alternatives to Huawei. Coordinated government action will be needed to support viable, cost-effective suppliers if 5G is to deliver its full potential.
Industry experts note Huawei’s products are competitive on price and innovation; removing them risks higher equipment costs and potential quality impacts that could be passed on to consumers. Governments and operators will need to balance security concerns with maintaining affordable, high-quality networks.
Interested in industry discussions on topics like this? There are sector events focused on 5G, IoT, blockchain, AI and cybersecurity where leaders debate technology, policy and procurement decisions.