The British administration is introducing a new telecom task force to search for a supplier who will be capable of filling the gap created in the UK's 5G infrastructure by the ban on Huawei's equipment.

By the end of 2020, UK’s mobile networks will be prohibited from buying a 5G kit from Huawei. This move will leave the UK with only two large-scale suppliers, Nokia and Ericsson that are currently active in the British market.

Even though the restriction was enforced on security grounds, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) claimed that being dependent on only two suppliers also invites notable risk for the long-term security of UK networks.

The security provided by a much-varied marketplace was the primary reason NCSC gave for initially evaluating that 5G networks of Britain were safer for incorporating Huawei equipment along with the ones manufactured by Nokia and Ericsson.

However, after the Trump Administration decided to restrict American companies from supplying computer chips to Huawei, forcing it to use chips manufactured by less trusted manufacturers, pushing the NCSC to increase the risk postured by Huawei equipment.

The government confirmed that it has planned to announce the telecoms diversification plan later this year to look into a market failure where mobile enterprises are restricted to using only three main suppliers in their telecom networks. The statement further added that this move limits the choice and calls for a risk for the resilience and security of the UK's future digital networks.

It comes ahead of the introduction of a Telecoms Security Bill by the government which is nearly at the same time when the administrators will also publish its telecoms diversity strategy.

The bill will ban the purchase of new Huawei equipment from the 2020 end and will need to remove all present Huawei equipment from 5G networks by 2027.

The former chief executive of BT Group and a Conservative peer, Lord Livingston of Parkhead will lead the task force that will develop and deploy the plan. Livingston will be accompanied by senior executives within the telecoms sector to make sure that the government addresses the industry’s needs.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/task-force-to-find-huawei-replacement-in-5g-networks-launched-12079432