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MPs express 5G security fears
A report from the Defence Committee of the UK House of Commons , The Security of 5G , finds that the development of 5G will increase the nation ’ s dependency on mobile connectivity , opening the UK up to security risks such as espionage , sabotage or system failure .
The Committee launched an inquiry into the security of 5G in March 2020 , following the UK Government ’ s decision to exclude high risk vendors , notably Huawei , from the most sensitive parts of the UK ’ s 5G network , while allowing it to supply peripheral components
The Committee supports the proposal to form a D10 alliance , consisting of ten of the world ’ s largest democracies , in order to provide alternatives to Chinese technology
such as mobile phone masts and antennae . The Committee found that there is currently a lack of global rules regulating international cyber-attacks and the Government should be working with allies to formulate a system to provide accountability for perpetrators .
The Committee supports the proposal to form a D10 alliance , consisting of ten of the world ’ s largest democracies , in order to provide alternatives to Chinese technology and to combat the technological dominance of authoritarian states . The Government must act swiftly and outline a joint 5G policy as soon as possible .
The Committee argue that the Telecoms Security Bill is necessary in order to enhance the Government ’ s and Government bodies ’ regulatory powers and should be introduced before December 31 , 2020 .
The Committee supports the UK Government ’ s goal of removing Huawei from the UK ’ s 5G networks by 2027 . However , the Committee note that developments could necessitate this date being moved forward , potentially to 2025 which could be considered economically feasible . The Government should take necessary steps to minimise the delay
and economic damage and consider providing compensation to operators if the 2027 deadline is moved forward .
A clear conclusion from the Committee was that the UK vendor market for 5G kit is not diverse enough . The Government should work with mobile network operators to bring in new vendors to the UK , for example Samsung or NEC , as well as encouraging the development of industrial capability in the UK .
In addition to this , OpenRAN presents an opportunity to move away from the current consolidated vendor environment to one in which operators no longer have to consider which vendor to source from . The
UK Government and mobile service operators should continue investment in OpenRAN technology and work to make the UK a global leader in both technological development and production .
The inquiry found that there is clear evidence of collusion between Huawei and the Chinese state , which supports the decision to remove them from the UK ’ s networks . The designation of Huawei as a high-risk vendor by the UK Government is appropriate and completely justified with the correct steps being taken to remove them from the UK ’ s 5G . In the meantime , however , the Committee is content that Huawei has been , and continues to be , sufficiently distanced from sensitive defence and national security sites .
“ Protecting the public and preserving our nation ’ s security are amongst the principle responsibilities of Government ,” stated Tobias Ellwood MP , Chair of the Defence Committee . “ The decision to embed a technology that compromises this would constitute a gross dereliction of these duties .”
“ The Government ’ s decision earlier this year was a step in the right direction . However , current regulations are porous and legislation lacks teeth , continuing to allow telecoms companies to prioritise profit over the public and the nations ’ security . Thankfully , Huawei , and the risks that foreign technology pose to our national security , have garnered much-needed and long-overdue attention in recent months . The Government must ensure that legislation is airtight , leaving no room for companies to slip through the cracks . Enacting the Telecoms Security Bill by the end of this year is imperative , as this will bring regulations up to date ,” he concluded .
Openreach continues analogue upgrade
UK digital network infrastructure provider Openreach has announced a further 51 exchange locations across the UK , covering around 0.51m premises , where it is planning to stop selling its legacy analogue services and instead focus on providing Full Fibre .
This brings the total exchanges locations where it plans to stop selling legacy analogue services in the next 12 months to 169 . This will take the cumulative overall total homes passed to 1.8m by October 2021 .
“ We ’ re stepping up our plans to stop selling our legacy analogue services and instead focus on providing people with a modern , future proof full fibre connection that can deliver all manner of new digital services over the top ,” advised Mark Logan , director , products at Openreach .
“ Our recently updated target to build full fibre broadband to 4.5 million homes and businesses by end of March 2021 , up from 4 million , is part of our accelerated build plan and has enabled migration efforts to also be brought forward .”
“ Full Fibre or ‘ Fibre to the Premises ’ technology ( FTTP ) will be available to more than 75 per cent of homes in these 51 new locations by October 2021 , as it makes no sense - both operationally and commercially , to keep the old and new network running side-by-side ,” he concluded .
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