US Might Work With Huawei On 5G Network After All

Whilst US-China relations are still not patched up it seems the USA is softening its stance on a Huawei-enabled 5G rollout.

After repeatedly urging other countries such as the UK, and France not to use Huawei equipment as they roll out their 5G network, the US Department of Commerce is ready to sign off on a rule that will allow US firms to work with Huawei in their 5G roll outs.

Huawei’s blacklisting by Trump’s administration citing security concerns resulted in a tricky situation for the US as companies were unsure about whether or not they would be allowed to participate in organisations to set standards in the telecoms industry.

As we approach the year mark, it is very much past time that this be addressed and clarified.

Their [US government] policies have inadvertently caused U.S. companies to lose their seat at the table to Huawei and others on the entity list.

Naomi Wilson – Senior director of policy for Asia at the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)

A few months back, the UK chose to include Huawei in their network rollout for 5G despite threats from the US to boycott the Chinese company. For the UK this would’ve proved expensive. Also in the event that the US’s attitude to Huawei shifts, UK would be missing out on a better deal for nothing.

It doesn’t seem like this time will change anything for Huawei when it comes to they’re Android situation. Their phones will still ship without access to Google Play and Google Play services – part of the conditions laid out by the blacklisting.