Telecoms giants braced for ‘Huawei Bill’ ordering them to strip technology from Chinese tech firm out of their network
Telecoms giants are braced for a ‘Huawei Bill’ that will order them to strip technology from the controversial Chinese tech firm out of their network.
The first reading of the Telecoms Security Bill is expected in Parliament this month, The Mail on Sunday understands.
The industry has been keenly awaiting the delayed legislation, which will hand new powers to regulator Ofcom and ultimately lead to them removing Huawei kit from their networks amid fears its tech could be used for spying by China.
Under pressure: Boris Johnson banned telecoms operators from buying 5G equipment from Huawei
In July, Boris Johnson banned telecoms operators from buying 5G equipment from Huawei by the end of the year and gave them seven years to rip out existing gear amid pressure from US President Donald Trump.
It reversed a January decision to allow Huawei to supply up to 35 per cent of the non-core 5G network.
Now there are concerns among telecoms companies the 2027 date could be pulled forward amid pressure from MPs, adding extra costs.
But Government sources said the timetable would not change.
Huawei is not expected to be named in the Bill itself, but in secondary legislation published alongside it.
BT, Vodafone and Three use Huawei kit to varying degrees. It is understood Three could be the worst hit as it signed a large 5G deal with Huawei in 2018.