Canada has announced that two of China’s largest telecommunications equipment manufacturers would be prohibited from operating on its 5G phone networks.
The country’s industry minister announced the restrictions against Huawei and ZTE on Thursday.
Why such a decision?
According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, the measure would improve Canada’s mobile internet services while also “protecting Canadians’ safety and security.”
Several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, have already imposed limitations on the companies.
The four countries, together with Canada, make up the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing agreement. It began as a means to monitor the Soviet Union and share sensitive information during the Cold War.
Canada’s move came as no surprise. Its partners had previously excluded Huawei and ZTE from their high-speed networks.
Mr Champagne told reporters in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, that the decision was reached after “a thorough evaluation by our security services and dialogue with our closest partners.”
He continued: “I would like to clarify that my government remains committed to defending Canadians’ safety and security and securing our telecommunications infrastructure.
“This is the proper decision in a 5G future, at a time when we rely more and more in our everyday lives [on] our network.”
Bejing’s Response
Beijing regards the security concerns expressed by Canada as a “pretext for political manipulation,” according to a spokeswoman for the Chinese embassy in Ottawa.
China’s representative also accused Canada of collaborating with the US to repress Chinese businesses.
Requests for a response from the BBC were not immediately returned by the Chinese embassy in Ottawa, Huawei, or ZTE.
The fifth-generation, or 5G, mobile internet networks offer much higher data download and upload rates.
It also lets more devices connect to the internet at the same time.
It comes when data use is on the rise, thanks to the growing popularity of video and music streaming.
Due to this, governments and cell phone network providers are being pushed to strengthen their telecommunications infrastructures.
The decision by the Canadian government implies that Huawei and ZTE equipment will no longer be permitted in the nation.
Mr Champagne stated that businesses who have previously installed Chinese-made equipment must immediately remove it.
In September 2018, Canada announced an examination of Huawei equipment.
Due to national security concerns, governments in the United States and other Western countries have targeted some of China’s most influential technology and telecoms corporations in recent years.
In November, President Joe Biden of the United States approved legislation prohibiting corporations deemed security concerns from acquiring new telecommunications equipment licences in the country.
It means Huawei, ZTE, and three other Chinese companies’ equipment can’t be used in US telecom networks.
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