Huawei Will Sell Its 5G Know-How

Huawei's chief executive has proposed selling its current 5G know-how to a Western firm as a way to address security concerns voiced by the US and others about its business. 

Ren Zhengfei (pictured) said the buyer would be free to "change the software code" according to the BBC. That would allow any flaws or supposed backdoors to be addressed without Huawei's involvement. 

The US and Australia have banned their networks from using Huawei's equipment. The UK is still weighing a decision.
Huawei has repeatedly denied claims that it would help the Chinese government spy on or disrupt other countries' telecoms systems, and says it is a private enterprise owned by its workers. 

Huawei’s claim that it is 99% owned by its staff is not reassuring, as they are in fact owned by the trade union committee of Huawei.  Since all trade unions in China are under the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, which is under the supervision of the Communist Party

One expert, who has doubted Huawei’s independence, said the idea of it helping another country's business to compete represented an "extraordinary offer".

"Perhaps the explanation is that Huawei recognises that it is unlikely to be able to bypass the efforts the Trump administration is putting into minimising its scope to operate in North America, Western Europe and Australasia," said Prof Steve Tsang from the University of London.

Seeking Balance 
Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei made the proposal in interviews with the Economist and the New York Times.
It would include ongoing access to the firm's existing 5G patents, licences, code, technical blueprints and production engineering knowledge. 

According to the New york Times, Huawei is open to sharing our 5G technologies and techniques with US companies, so that they can build up its own 5G industry, creating a more a balanced situation between China, the US and Europe. A spokesman for Huawei has confirmed the quotes are accurate and the idea represents a "genuine proposal".

At present, Europe's Nokia and Ericsson are the main alternatives to Huawei when it comes to networks selecting what 5G cell tower base stations and other equipment to install. South Korea's Samsung and China's ZTE are other alternatives. 

But while American firms including Cisco, Dell EMC and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have developed 5G-related technologies, the US lacks an infrastructure-equipment specialist of its own.

Beyond the licensing fee, Huawei could benefit because it might convince Washington to drop restrictions that currently prevent it buying US-linked technologies for its own use. One consequence of this is that Huawei faces having to launch an Android smartphone later this month that will not offer Google apps. 

A deal would also help ensure Huawei gets its 5G technologies widely adopted.
For instance, 5G supports two different coding techniques for data transmission to help tackle interference. Huawei has developed a technique called "polar codes", which it says will give 5G devices longer battery life than an alternative favoured by many Western firms called "low density parity check". If polar codes are widely adopted, Huawei will earn more patent fees from device-makers that support them.

Intelligence law
Some commentataors have suggested Ren's proposal is doomed to fail. "Huawei misunderstands the underlying problem," Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, from the European Centre for International Political Economy, told the BBC.

"The issue is not the trustworthiness of Huawei as a vendor but the legal obligations that the Chinese government imposes on it.....China's National Intelligence Law requires Chinese businesses and citizens to surrender any data or 'communication tools' they may have access to, under strict punitive sanctions.....Any equipment or software that Huawei licenses to an US entity would still fall under this obligation, and there is no way that the licensing entity or the intelligence agencies could scrutinise millions of lines of code for potential backdoors."

Even if Huawei's offer is ultimately rejected, he explained, it demonstrates that the company is willing to go to remarkable lengths to try and win the trust of its critics.

BBC:         New York Times:

You Might Also Read:

Who’s Afraid Of Huawei?:

5G Needs A New Generation Of Security:

 

« Old Magecart Domains Come Back To Life
Organised Social Media Manipulation »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Hiscox

Hiscox

Hiscox offers cyber and data risks insurance to protect your business against the risks of holding data and using computer systems..

IntSights

IntSights

IntSights is an intelligence driven security provider offering rapid, accurate cyberthreat intelligence and incident mitigation in real time

NetDiligence

NetDiligence

NetDiligence is a privately-held cyber risk assessment and data breach services company.

XignSYS

XignSYS

XignSys develops innovative password-free and user-friendly Authentication solutions and electronic signature systems for B2B and B2C applications.

Riddle&Code

Riddle&Code

Riddle&Code is a product-led services company specializing in onboarding industries to Web3. The team's mission is to provide a trusted connection between the digital and physical worlds.

Sabat Group

Sabat Group

Sabat Group provide relationship-driven information security & cyber security recruiting services.

DataFleets

DataFleets

DataFleets is a privacy-preserving data engine that unifies distributed data for rapid access, agile analytics, and automated compliance.

KryptoKloud

KryptoKloud

KryptoKloud offer a suite of Managed Services including Security Monitoring and Incident Response as well as a full portfolio of Compliance, Governance and Audit solutions.

NASK SA

NASK SA

NASK SA is an integrator of telecommunications services. We provide advanced ICT security services, collocation and hosting, data centre services, and build corporate networks.

North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC)

North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC)

The North West Cyber Resilience Centre is a trusted, not-for-profit venture between Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Digital.

Secure Cyber Defense

Secure Cyber Defense

Secure Cyber Defense provides expert cybersecurity consulting and managed detection and response services to companies, local government, schools and universities.

Narf Industries

Narf Industries

Narf Industries are a small group of reverse engineers, vulnerability researchers and tool developers that specialize in tailored solutions for government and large enterprises.

CYGNVS

CYGNVS

CYGNVS is a guided cyber crisis response platform providing anytime, anyplace access. A SaaS platform for cyber crisis management – a safe way to connect and control your response.

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT empowers healthcare providers to deliver exceptional patient care with cutting-edge technology and cybersecurity solutions.

Hummingbird International

Hummingbird International

Hummingbird International, LLC offers services for the collection, audit, computer recycling and safe disposal of laptops, monitor/LCD, hard drives, and IT disposal.

Security Mind

Security Mind

Security Mind is an innovative Cyber Security Awareness program that aims to increase the awareness of each member of the organization and develop the ability to recognize potential cyber threats.