Huawei has said it’s ready to dispel any 5G security fears in South Korea as it continues to woo operators around the world.
South Korean telcos are currently deciding which vendors will supply their 5G equipment. The nation’s largest, SK Telecom, has already ruled-out Huawei in favour of Samsung, Nokia, and Ericsson.
Unlike the US and Australia, the South Korean government has not banned the use of Huawei equipment. There are rumours, however, that it is considering it which may have influenced SK Telecom’s decision.
"We have kept up with each government's demands and requirements," it said. "If the Korean government requires security verification, we will surely comply with it," Huawei said in a statement.
LG Uplus, South Korea’s third largest telco, has announced its intention to use Huawei’s equipment for its 5G network. The operator has a history with Huawei for its previous generation networks – so it could be a matter of loyalty.
Excluding vendors from a market leads to increased prices due to a reduction in competition. It’s believed South Korean operators would be paying around 20 – 30 percent higher in such a scenario.
South Korea is among the leading nations in connectivity, boasting some of the fastest mobile and broadband speeds. The country is expected to be one of the first in the world to deploy 5G networks.
Huawei’s equipment is among the best in the business. Some experts believe in some areas, such as its MIMO antenna technology, the company is around a year ahead of competitors. A ban of its gear could also be detrimental to network performance.
The company has faced a 5G ban in Australia and the US due to security fears and potential state control from the Chinese government. Huawei continues to strongly deny the allegations.
If security officials are worried about the use of equipment manufactured in China, it’s apparent that similar concerns should extend to Nokia and Ericsson. As Telecoms reported back in August, both companies have links to China’s ruling Communist Party.
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