Canada bans Huawei and ZTE 5G equipment from networks

The Canadian government has banned carriers in the country from using equipment from Chinese manufacturers Huawei and ZTE in their 5G networks. The providers must have removed the devices and services by mid-2024.

The Canadian government has “serious concerns” about suppliers like Huawei and ZTE, as they could be forced to act on China’s behalf in ways that “conflict with Canadian laws or conflict with Canadian interests.” The government is therefore banning carriers from using new 5G equipment and services from Huawei and ZTE and they are given until June 28, 2024 to remove existing systems.

The measure also prohibits the use of new 4G network devices and carriers must remove existing systems for 4G from the two Chinese companies. They have until December 31, 2027 to do this. There will also be restrictions on the use of gpon equipment in fiber optic networks.

So far, Canada has only barred Huawei and ZTE from “sensitive parts” of 3G and 4G networks. Announcing the new measures, which will be introduced through amendments to the telecommunications law, the government said close allies share the same security concerns with Huawei and ZTE. Opposition parties report to CBC that the measures are coming liberally and that telecom companies have now purchased hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Huawei equipment. Canada’s previous government promised to make a decision on Huawei before the 2019 elections.