Chinese telecom equipment supplier Huawei has been barred from tendering for contracts for Australia’s US$37bn National Broadband Network (NBN) project on security grounds.
In a statement to TelecomFinance, Jeremy Mitchell, corporate affairs director…
Chinese telecom equipment supplier Huawei has been barred from tendering for contracts for Australia’s US$37bn National Broadband Network (NBN) project on security grounds.
In a statement to TelecomFinance, Jeremy Mitchell, corporate affairs director for Huawei Australia, said: “While we’re obviously disappointed by the decision, Huawei will continue to be open and transparent and work to find ways of providing assurance around the security of our technology.”
He added: “As the world’s leading NBN provider, Huawei remains hopeful of playing a role in Australia’s NBN, but ultimately that is a decision for the Australian government and NBN Co.”
Huawei said it is currently taking part in NBN-style networks in the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The Australian Financial Review first revealed on 24 March that the federal government had decided to ban Huawei from participating in the NBN plan because of concerns over cyber attacks originating in China.
Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard was quoted telling reporters in Seoul today that the decision to exclude Huawei was “prudent”.
Huawei, as well as rival vendor ZTE, have struggled to enter certain countries, in particularly the US, over their alleged links to the Chinese government.
But the companies have taken various steps in an attempt to reassure governments and potential customers over the security of their products.
In early April last year, Huawei announced the creation of an Australian board of directors, the first time it was making such a move in a foreign country.
A few days later, the company confirmed its intention to take part in the NBN plan.
In today’s statement, Mitchell, however, said: “Huawei’s business in Australia is not reliant on the NBN. We are already working with all of Australia’s major operators and Huawei has invested in its Australian business for the long-term.”
