Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei will not be “completely banned” from the French 5G market, but French operators using it will receive operating authorizations limited to eight years, according to the National Agency systems security (Anssi), which compromises the Chinese group’s access to the hexagonal 5G market.
“What I can say is that there will not be a total ban. Operators who do not use Huawei, we encourage them not to go because it is a bit the natural sense of things. Those who already use it, we issue authorizations whose duration varies between three and eight years ”, declared in an interview with Échos Guillaume Poupard, director general of Anssi, charged by the government with investigating this dossier. “The decisions are ready”, said Guillaume Poupard, confirming information from AFP on Tuesday that these decisions are just waiting to be signed by the executive.
Only three telecom equipment manufacturers, European Nokia and Ericsson and Chinese Huawei, are able to supply the equipment for the future 5G networks, the future mobile telecommunications system. “There will be refusals”, said Guillaume Poupard to Echoes, excluding however that these refusals concern Nokia and Ericsson, and thus indicating in hollow that only Huawei is concerned.
We are not in Huawei bashing, nor in anti-Chinese racism
Guillaume Poupard, Director General of Anssi
“What we are doing on 5G in France is a compromise. We must develop 5G in economic conditions acceptable to telecoms operators and also sovereign, which allow us not to be dependent on this or that equipment or country “, explained the director of Anssi. “Many antennas installed are compatible with 5G”, he reacted in particular on the dissuasive nature of these restrictions, taking into account the amount to be invested for operators.
“We are not in Huawei bashing, nor in anti-Chinese racism”said Guillaume Poupard. “We are in risk management. Not all telecom equipment manufacturers are created equal. I am not quoting a name but it is clear that we are not in the same risks when we speak of Chinese or American equipment. We are cautious with non-European equipment manufacturers, of course, just as we would also be, for example, if all operators used the same equipment manufacturer, even if he was French, it would be catastrophic ”, he added.
“This is the whole point of the discussion with telecom operators on the choice of their equipment manufacturers. It is not a process of intention that one makes to such company or such country. The question is just that of sovereignty ”, concluded the director general of Anssi.
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