This decision was expected, on the 19th the Canadian government formalized the banning of Huawei and ZTE equipment on its 5G network. The authorities explain that it is about his national security. The country joins its Five Eyes allies, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
There will be no more Huawei or ZTE 5G equipment in Canada in 2024
As of September, Canadian telecommunications companies will no longer be able to acquire Huawei and ZTE products. Those already equipped will have to replace the equipment by June 28, 2024. 4G equipment is also affected with a longer period, running until the end of 2027.
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The Canadian government said, very concerned that vendors like Huawei and ZTE may be forced to comply with extrajudicial directives from a foreign government that would violate Canadian law or be detrimental to Canadian interests “.
For Huawei, This is an unfortunate political decision that has nothing to do with cybersecurity or any of the technologies in question. “. The company adds that “ Banning Huawei Equipment and Services Will Cause Significant Economic Losses in Canada and Increase the Cost of Communications for Canadian Consumers “. ZTE, for its part, claims to have always adhered to international standards and best practices “.
The BBC reports that François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada, assured that the decision was taken following a ” full review by our security agencies and consultation with our closest allies “. L’AFP reports that China strongly opposes “to this decision and that she will take” all necessary measures to protect its businesses.
The circle is complete
Huawei equipment has been under scrutiny in Canada since September 2018. In December 2018 Canada arrested the Chinese company’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the United States.
The arrest led to a diplomatic crisis between the United States, Canada and China. Two Canadian nationals were arrested in China in the aftermath. They were only released after Meng Wanzhou was released in September 2021.
The Trump administration, beyond its reproaches to Meng Wanzhou, accused the Chinese company of offering backdoors in 5G networks to the Middle Empire. An accusation that Huawei has always rejected.
The United States banned Huawei and ZTE products in May 2019 and then kept urging its allies to imitate them. With Canada, all the countries making up the Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing system dating from the Cold War, have banned equipment from Chinese companies.
Besides these five countries, Sweden and Japan have made similar decisions. France has decided to simply restrict the authorization of 5G equipment on its territory.