New Zealand blocks Huawei's imports for "significant security risk" | Business

New Zealand security services have prevented Huawei from supplying the mobile network kit to a national company for reasons of national security, a blow to the world's largest telecommunications equipment company.

Spark New Zealand said Wednesday in a statement that it was not able to use Huawei's equipment in its 5G mobile network towers after the intervention of the Office of Communications Security of the Government of New Zealand (GCSB).

Andrew Hampton, managing director of the GCSB, said in a separate statement that "a significant risk to network security had been identified" by the agency when it reviewed Spark's plans.

Huawei provides network equipment to all major mobile phone network providers in Europe, including companies such as Vodafone and BT in the UK. In February, Huawei announced that it would spend 3 billion pounds sterling in the UK over the next five years.

However, Huawei, headquartered in Shenzhen, southern China, has faced national security challenges in many countries. In the United Kingdom, a surveillance operation has been put in place to verify that Huawei's hardware does not present security problems. In July, a British government report said it could only give "limited badurance" that Huawei's equipment would not compromise national security.

GCSB's decision follows a similar US initiative, in which President Donald Trump enacted a law banning any government executive agency from using Huawei's technology. The United States has also begun to pressure its allies to give up Huawei equipment in the context of a wider trade war with China, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Australia has also raised objections regarding the use of Huawei equipment for its new 5G mobile network infrastructure. The Chinese government has publicly opposed the Australian movement.

Under New Zealand law, telecommunications companies must inform the security services of certain changes to their networks. According to the GCSB, the telecommunications infrastructure is "a very attractive target for states seeking to engage in espionage, sabotage or foreign interference, or criminal actors seeking to exploit companies and businesses. New Zealand individuals ".

Spark said it was "disappointed" with GCSB's decision. He has not yet been able to examine the reasoning of the agency to block the use of Huawei's equipment.

A spokesman for Huawei in New Zealand said, "Huawei is aware of Spark's statement and we are reviewing the situation. We will actively respond to all your concerns and work together to find a solution.

"As a global provider of telecommunications equipment, we remain committed to developing reliable and secure solutions for our customers. Huawei's 5G hardware is already used by major carriers around the world. We will continue to offer our customers innovative, reliable and secure 5G solutions. "