Not a ban – Andrew Little offers hope for Huawei, but doubtful Spark

The GCSB's assessment that Huawei's 5G technology poses "significant risks to national security" does not equate to a ban, said Andrew Little this morning.

Spark could still work with Huawei to deal with the security risk, said the GCSB minister.

However, he was confused about the number of details of the classified security threat that could be shared with the telecommunication service provider.

In his first comment on the controversy, Huawei also described the events as an ongoing process.

Spark seemed doubtful whether Little's comments represented new hope.

"We would of course be delighted with any opportunity to make a different decision from the government," said a Spark insider at Herald shortly after the GCSB Minister made his comments.

"That being said, the fact that we felt the need to make a market announcement yesterday should give you an indication, based on what we currently know about the GCSB position, what we think are the prospects for change. of this decision. "

Yesterday afternoon, Spark pre-empted the government and GCSB by announcing the conclusion of the security agency and stating that he could no longer use the Huawei equipment for his next 5G upgrade of its mobile network.

"The CEO informed today Spark that he felt that Spark's proposal to use Huawei 5G equipment in the RAN 5G planned by Spark would create, if it were implemented , significant risks to national security, "said Spark.

"Under TICSA [The Telecommunications Interception Capability & Security Act]This means that Spark can neither implement nor fulfill its proposal to use Huawei RAN equipment in its planned 5G network. "

"The role of the GCSB, at this stage of the process, is to evaluate when a telecommunication network wants to access a new technology on its network.To gain access, it is necessary to avoid the potential risks to the network. national security, "said Little.

"This was found in this case.That's what Spark was informed yesterday.

"They [Spark] now have the opportunity to come back and work with the GCSB to see if it can mitigate the assessed risks … This is the next step in the process if they choose to do so. "

Few people refused to say whether the assessment of "significant national security risks" was in part the result of intelligence about Huawei's alleged role in espionage, but stressed that it was essentially a technical evaluation.

Huawei said in a statement: "As the GCSB noted, this is an ongoing process, we will actively respond to any concerns and work together to find a solution."

Huawei says that it is a private company and is not controlled by Beijing. Andrew Bowater, Deputy Director General of Operations in New Zealand, has repeatedly told the Herald that no evidence has ever been presented of Huawei posing a security threat.

Huawei currently provides network hardware for Vodafone, Spark and 2degrees, as well as for Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) deployments.

Some commentators have stated that a finding against Huawei over the 5G would mean that existing infrastructure should be destroyed – something according to Craig Young, president of the Telecommunications Users Association, would be a costly and time consuming process. disruptive.

But few say it would not be necessary.

"The conventional [3G and 4G] Technology has a core of infrastructure, then a peripheral technology, such as cell towers, and they can, in fact, be separated, you can not do it with 5G technology, "he said.

Yesterday's development follows a US push, revealed Friday, aimed at persuading the Allies to give up Huawei.

But Little said this morning that the GCSB had reached an independent decision.

"I can say with considerable confidence that there has been no representation at the GCSB of Australia, the United States, everywhere, how it should be there." take to make a decision, "he said.