The US has urged all countries to ensure that only “trusted vendors” participate in any part of their future 5G networks as the Trump administration stepped up its pressure against Chinese telecom giants, citing a potential security threat and possible misuse of data.
Asserting that 5G networks will form the backbone of future economies and critical infrastructure, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the stakes are too high to allow these vital networks to be provided and serviced by vendors open to manipulation by authoritarian regimes.
“Chinese telecommunications firms such as Huawei and ZTE must comply with the directives of the government of the People’s Republic of China, without any meaningful checks and balances that would prevent misuse of data,” Ortagus said. Allowing these vendors anywhere in a country’s 5G networks would present critical risks to the privacy, human rights and security of its citizens, she said.
“The United States urges all countries, including our partners and allies, to adopt national security policies that would prevent untrusted vendors from accessing any part of their future 5G networks,” Ortagus said. 5G is the next generation cellular technology with download speeds stated to be 10 to 100 times faster than the current 4G LTE networks.
The 5G networking standard is seen as critical because it can support the next generation of mobile devices in addition to new applications like driverless cars. Ortagus said the US welcomed the European Union Council identifying the serious risks posed to 5G telecommunications networks if they are built using untrusted vendors.
“We welcome this acknowledgment and urge our European partners and allies to ensure only trusted vendors participate in any part of their future 5G networks,” Ortagus said.