France Urges Companies Not to Use Huawei 5G Tech

France’s cybersecurity agency warns firms about using 5G technology from Chinese tech giant, Huawei. The company isn’t totally banned from the country, but the authorities are highly encouraging telecommunications firms to refrain from it.

Guillaume Poupard, head of ANSSI, confirmed that there won’t be a total ban against the Chinese equipment maker.

The move comes as a major hit against the company and after Washington’s call to its allies. According to reports, the United States government said that Beijing may use the equipment and data against the West.

This is a major blow to the company as it tries to campaign its 5G networks and services to Western countries.

Technology news reports say that last year, the US Department of Commerce added Huawei to the “entity list” due to security issues.

Sources already floated earlier this year that France won’t have a total ban against the Chinese giant. 

The earlier reports said the government would seek to prevent it from coming close to the core of the country’s networks. Adding that the networks carry sensitive information from agencies, officials, and other consumers. 

The decision of the French authorities comes as two of the country’s major telecommunications companies have links to Huawei. Both Bouygues Telecom and SFR’s current networks are by the Chinese tech company.

Meanwhile, Orange, a state-controlled telecom company, already chose Nokia and Ericsson instead of the Chinese company.

According to Poupard, those telecom companies that currently uses the Chinese firm’s equipment will receive authorizations. Those permits will then allow the companies to retain the equipment for three to eight years.

The French official added that if next week, companies haven’t received any authorization, they can consider a non-response after the legal deadline.

The United Kingdom’s Conditions

Modern technology has paved the way for Huawei to become a prominent company in the industry. However, national security issues are the biggest threat to the giant.

In the United Kingdom, another US ally, Health Minister Matt Hancock said yesterday that the company needs to meet conditions. The company would have to meet those before it granted the permission to have involvement in the country’s 5G network developments.

When asked about further details, Hancock denied commenting specifically. But adding that initial recommendations on the firm have been rather conditional.

The news comes after reports circulated that the firm would actually be banned from the UK’s 5G endeavors.

Aside from that, British officials are already drafting proposals to stop Huawei from installing equipment according to local reports.