Huawei cements 5G sector takeover, hours after fresh warning from cyber watchdog

China's Huawei has claimed to hold the largest amount of 5G commercial contracts in the world, just hours after a cyber security watchdog joined the chorus of warnings that its technology could pose a security risk.

The telecoms equipment firm said it had secured more than 25 commercial contracts for 5G, rising from the 22 it declared in November. It added that it has now shipped more than 10,000 base stations.

The statement comes after the Czech cyber watchdog last night warned network operators against using software or hardware made by Huawei or fellow Chinese tech supplier ZTE, saying they could be a threat to national security.

Dusan Navratil, director of the Czech national cyber agency NCISA, said China's laws, which require firms to cooperate with its intelligence services, could present a threat when introducing those companies into other key state systems.

Huawei refuted the accuracy of statement, and called on the NCISA to provide proof of its assessment. A spokesman told Reuters that the company has not installed any "back doors" for the Chinese government.

The security of Huawei's tech has come under increasing scrutiny in Western nations this year, including in the UK where GCHQ's cyber arm has formed an oversight board for the company's presence here. In December, sources told Reuters that the Shenzhen-based firm has pledged $2bn (£1.6bn) to meet the UK's demands.

Earlier this month, BT said it has barred Huawei from bidding for its core 5G mobile network when it goes online in the UK. Huawei is banned from selling its technology in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

The news follows the arrest of Huawei's finance chief Meng Wangzhou in Canada, who is also the daughter of Huawei's founder. She faces accusations that she misled banks about Huawei's control of a company operating in Iran, putting the banks at risk of violating US sanctions and incurring severe penalties.

Rotating chairman Ken Hu told reporters today that despite the ongoing furore, Huawei expects revenue to exceed $100bn this year, up from reported revenue of $92bn in 2017.

Calling its 5G success "a big milestone in our history", Hu added: "When it comes to security allegations, it’s best to let the facts speak for themselves, and the fact is Huawei’s record on security is clean."