U.S. Officials Press Allies to Exclude Huawei From 5G Networks

Officials from the US State Department and the Federal Communications Commission outlined their campaign to exclude Huawei from allies’ next generation communications networks, calling the Chinese equipment-maker “duplicitous and deceitful”. The officials, however, declined to offer any specific evidence of so-called backdoors in Huawei infrastructure that would permit it to spy on the US or its allies. Robert Strayer, the State Department’s top cybersecurity official, said the US has had successful conversations with international allies about what it sees as security threats posed by Huawei. Those discussions are taking place as carriers around the globe race to roll out faster, 5G networks. “People are understanding the points that we’re making,” he said, standing alongside FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. His comments come despite recent moves by allies such as Germany, the U.K. and United Arab Emirates that indicate telecom companies in those nations will find ways to include Huawei gear in their infrastructure.