Huawei, ZTE to be banned from Canada’s 5G/4G networks

Canadian telecom providers will have to rip out any Huawei and ZTE equipment from their 4G and 5G networks without compensation, the federal government has announced. The long-expected announcement came from Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Innovation Minister François-Phillipe Champagne. There will be discussions with affected telcos on the timeline for taking out the equipment. However, the ministers suggested it won’t be very expensive, saying the “vast majority” of 4G/5G networks here don’t have gear from the two providers. In 2020 Telus said it would begin rolling out its 5G network with an initial module from Huawei — but the equipment would be limited to the non-sensitive Radio Access portion of the network and excluded from the network core. In a statement Champagne said the government is ensuring the long-term safety of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. “As part of that the government intends to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunications systems. This follows a thorough review by our independent security agencies in consultation with our closest allies.” “As a result, telecommunications companies that operate in Canada would no longer be permitted to make use of designated equipment or services provided by Huawei and ZTE. As well, companies that already use this equipment installed in their networks would be required to cease its use and remove it. The government intends to implement these measures as part of a broader agenda to promote the security of Canada’s telecommunications networks and in consultation with industry. “Our government will always protect the safety and security of Canadians and will take any actions necessary to safeguard our critical telecommunications infrastructure.” The use of new 5G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE will be prohibited and existing 5G equipment and managed services must be removed or terminated by June 28, 2024. Any use of new 4G equipment and managed services from Huawei and ZTE will be prohibited and any existing 4G equipment and managed services must be removed or terminated by December 31, 2027. The government expects that telecommunications service providers will cease procurement of new 4G or 5G equipment and associated services from the companies by September 1, 2022. The government will also impose restrictions on Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) equipment used in fibre-optic networks. MORE TO COME The post Huawei, ZTE to be banned from Canada’s 5G/4G networks first appeared on IT World Canada.