Mobile network industry calls for security scrutiny amid Huawei spying claims
Europe needs a security testing programme to oversee the rollout of 5G in order to combat distrust of providers, according to the mobile network industry.
Industry body the GSMA, which represents 800 operators, has called on governments and the private sector to collaborate on setting up such a scheme.
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The industry would need to agree what the assurance testing and certification regime would involve, in order to guarantee confidence in network operators’ security.
Chinese provider Huawei is currently under pressure from various countries amid spying claims it denies.
Canada is currently reviewing Huawei as a supplier after the US, New Zealand and Australia all banned the provider from supplying 5G infrastructure.
Huawei recently took out adverts in New Zealand papers to liken blocking it from 5G to banning the All Blacks from rugby.
As well as calling for improved security testing, the GSMA also warned that ruling out suppliers will slow down the roll out of the new data technology.
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“Actions that disrupt the equipment supply for the various segments of the network (access, transport and core) will increase costs to European operators, businesses and citizens; delay 5G deployment by years across Europe and potentially also jeopardise the functioning of existing 4G networks upon which 5G is intended to be built,” it said.
A GCHQ-backed UK committee set up to scrutinise Huawei had found a number of shortcomings in the provider’s security, which Huawei has said will take up to five years to address.