Huawei News: France To Use Parts From Chinese Telecom Giant In 5G Rollout, Says Report

France will likely allow Chinese telecom giant Huawei to supply equipment for “non-core” parts of its 5G network, Reuters reported Friday.

“They don’t want to ban Huawei, but the principle is: ‘Get them out of the core mobile network’,” a source close to the matter told the news outlet. The anonymous person is referring to ANNSI, France’s cybersecurity agency.

The decision to allow Huawei would benefit two of France’s major telecom operators: Bouygues Telecom and Altice Europe’s SFR. Both of these firms rely on Huawei for their current mobile network.

The French decision to bar Huawei from the “core” parts of its 5G network is intended to prevent foreign cyberespionage. Huawei has been accused of using 5G to steal confidential information and hand it over to the Chinese government, although the company denies the allegations.

French approval of Huawei’s participation could also add tension to diplomatic relations between the U.S. and France. The Trump administration has been pushing countries to reject or ban Huawei from their next-generation networks.

The U.K. announced in January that it would allow Huawei to supply equipment for the “non-core” parts of its 5G network. The decision angered the White House, resulting in an “apoplectic” call between President Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Other European nations, such as Switzerland and Hungary, have decided to heavily rely on Huawei technology for their 5G rollouts. Germany is still deliberating on its 5G decision but is unlikely to enact a ban on Huawei equipment.