Why is BT CEO urging caution on banning Huawei from 5G?

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BT CEO Urges Caution on Huawei 5G Ban Due to Potential Outages and Security Risks

BT CEO Philip Jansen is advocating for a measured approach to any potential ban of China's Huawei from the United Kingdom's 5G network. He has warned that a hasty decision by the British government could lead to significant service disruptions and introduce security vulnerabilities. Jansen indicated that a preferred timeline for BT to transition away from Huawei equipment would be seven years, though a five-year period might be achievable.
Potential for Service Outages

Jansen highlighted that an accelerated timeline for removing Huawei technology could jeopardise the mobile service for a substantial portion of BT Group's customer base. Specifically, he cautioned that if the transition had to be executed very rapidly, it could place the service for 24 million BT Group mobile customers in question, potentially resulting in widespread outages. This underscores the complex technical challenges involved in replacing critical network infrastructure.
Security Implications of a Rapid Transition

Beyond the operational impact of service interruptions, Jansen also raised concerns about potential security issues arising from a swift ban. The implication is that a rushed removal process might not allow for the thorough and secure decommissioning of existing Huawei equipment. This could inadvertently create new security vulnerabilities during the transition period, a risk that needs careful management.
Preferred Transition Timeline

To mitigate these risks, BT has outlined its ideal timeframe for phasing out Huawei from its 5G network. Jansen stated that the company would ideally prefer a seven-year period to complete the transition smoothly and securely. While acknowledging that a five-year timeframe might be feasible, this extended period is considered necessary to ensure the stability and security of the network for millions of customers.

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Why is BT CEO urging caution on banning Huawei from 5G?

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