BRITAIN is set to delay a decision on the role of Huawei Technologies Co. in the country’s fifth-generation mobile network development until after the general election, according to two people familiar with the plans.

With a national vote due Dec. 12 and the possibility of coalition negotiations before a government is formed, a decision on the Chinese technology company is now unlikely before 2020, according to the people.

The road to a decision has been long and controversial, dividing government departments and public opinion in Britain. Some officials have pushed for tough restrictions as a result of concerns over foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, while others said this would saddle the telecom industry with extra costs and delay technological upgrades.

Huawei has become a lightning rod for tensions between the United States and Europe over trade and security policy as Washington threatens reprisals against any governments that allow Huawei gear to form part of the crucial ultrafast networks.

As the U.K. looks toward trading relationships after Brexit, ministers have been forced to balance the competing demands and opportunities from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on the one hand, and the lure of possible eastern trade deals on the other.

Before being ousted, former Prime Minister Theresa May had been close to adopting measures which would have allowed carriers to use Huawei in fifth-generation wireless systems while restricting it from some sensitive parts of the network.

Measures would have included enhancing the country’s cybersecurity testing regime, effectively excluding Huawei from the network core and mandating phone companies to procure equipment from a mix of suppliers. Huawei would still have been allowed to continue its role as a key provider of radio antennas.

A full ban forcing carriers to “rip-and-replace” their existing Huawei technology from the entire network is seen as unlikely. (SD-Agencies)

SD-Agencies