China’s Huawei extends UK ad campaign to sway public opinion ahead of 5G security review
- In January, the British government decided to allow Huawei to play a role in the country’s 5G roll out, but would limit its market share to 35 per cent
- In May, the US slapped significant new sanctions on Huawei to plug a loophole that allowed it access to American semiconductor manufacturing technology
Huawei Technologies said it will extend its UK advertising campaign until at least July to try to preserve its role in the country’s 5G network roll out, arguing that it meets the stated requirements for higher security standards, a more resilient network, and more diversified supply chain.
The campaign, spearheaded by an open letter to the public published as full page ads in national media, comes amid a fresh review of the Chinese company’s role in Britain’s 5G networks launched by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
“Huawei grew up in the UK. We’ve been here for 20 years and were integral in building the 3G and 4G networks we all use every day,” Huawei vice-president Victor Zhang is quoted saying in the letter. “Today’s letter underlines Huawei’s ongoing commitment to improving connectivity for everyone in the UK.”
In January, the British government decided to allow Huawei to play a role in the country’s 5G roll out, but would limit its market share to 35 per cent and keep the Chinese gear out of the most sensitive parts of the network.
However, the NCSC review – which comes amid deteriorating diplomatic relations since the coronavirus outbreak in January – could possibly lead to a reversal of that decision and see the government ban use of Huawei’s 5G network gear.
“The decision came out of an 18-month review … The heart of the policy has not changed,” said Edward Brewster, communications director for Huawei UK. “I believe the UK government and carriers would take a fact and evidence-based approach.”
