Huawei gets limited role in UK's 5G network

LONDON (AA) - Chinese telecom company Huawei will be allowed a "limited role" in the U.K.'s next-generation 5G telecommunications network, the British government said Tuesday.

The company will be "excluded from all safety related and safety critical networks," as well as "sensitive geographic locations such as nuclear sites and military bases," according to a statement.

It will have a 35% cap in the periphery of the 5G network in non-sensitive parts, said the statement.

"Ministers today determined that U.K. operators should put in place additional safeguards and exclude high risk vendors from parts of the telecoms network that are critical to security," it added.

The government came to the decision at a National Security Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, despite warnings from the U.S. that the Chinese company's involvement would create a security risk a few days before the country left the EU, after which Johnson is expected to approach Washington for a fast trade deal.

Johnson will meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday in London and is most likely to receive criticism on the decision.

Huawei's vice-president Victor Zhang said his company was "reassured by the U.K. government's confirmation" that it could continue working with customers to "keep the 5G rollout on track."

"This evidence-based decision will result in a more advanced, more secure and more cost-effective telecoms infrastructure that is fit for the future. It gives the UK access to world-leading technology and ensures a competitive market,” Zhang said.