New Zealand intelligence agencies reject Huawei's 5G

Warta Ekonomi.co.id, New Zealand –

The New Zealand intelligence agency rejected the country's first telecommunications sector request to use 5G equipment provided by the Chinese company Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, citing concerns about national security.

The telecommunications service provider Spark New Zealand Ltd. (SPK.NZ), which made the request, announced Wednesday (28/11/2018) that it would examine the reasons why the intelligence agency considered other measures.

The decision was made as Western countries became increasingly vigilant about what they said was the possibility of the Chinese government's involvement in the fifth generation cellular and communication network. Huawei has repeatedly insisted that Beijing has no influence.

Earlier this year, Australia banned Huawei from providing 5G equipment, which also raised security risks. Last week Wall Street Journal reported that the US government had tried to persuade companies from allied countries to avoid Huawei.

"I informed Spark that significant risks to network security had been identified," said Wednesday (28/11/2018) Andrew Hampton, director general of security of the government's Office of Communications, ReutersOn Wednesday (28/11/2018).

Intelligence Ministry Minister Andrew Little said Spark, whose application was part of the country's first 5G application, could work with these agents to reduce the risk of data leaks. He refused to give the reason for his concern because the information had been clbadified as secret.

Huawei said in a statement that he would actively tackle the problem and work together to find a solution, added that he had signed more than 20 5G contracts with operators around the world.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed serious concern over New Zealand's attitude and said that Sino-New Zealand trade relations Zealand were mutually beneficial.

"We hope the New Zealand government will provide a fair competitive environment for Chinese companies operating in New Zealand, as well as mutual trust and bilateral cooperation," he said.