The Trump administration has warned that the UK’s approach to building 5G mobile networks could jeopardise British national security, as the US pressures allies not to use equipment made by Huawei.
Senior US officials said on Monday that the UK’s method of testing the Chinese company’s equipment before installing it will not be enough to safeguard telecoms networks once ultrafast 5G systems begin to roll out.
The warning comes after the Financial Times revealed that British intelligence officials have concluded it is possible to limit the risks of using Huawei equipment in 5G networks. That conclusion could undermine months of lobbying by the US to persuade its allies to exclude the company altogether from 5G, for fear its equipment could be used by Beijing for spying.