Huawei and ZTE of China will be banned from Canada’s 5G networks

Canada has announced that two of China’s largest telecom equipment manufacturers will be prohibited from working on its 5G phone networks.

The country’s industry minister announced the restrictions against Huawei and ZTE on Thursday.

According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, the move will improve Canada’s mobile internet services while also “protecting Canadians’ safety and security.”

Several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, have already imposed limitations on the companies.

The four countries, along with Canada, make up the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing agreement. It began as a means for monitoring the Soviet Union and sharing sensitive information during the Cold War.

Canada’s announcement came as no surprise, given that its partners had already excluded Huawei and ZTE from their own high-speed networks.

Mr Champagne told reporters in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, that the decision was reached after “a thorough evaluation by our security services and dialogue with our closest partners.”

China’s representative also accused Canada of collaborating with the US to repress Chinese businesses.

The fifth-generation, or 5G, of mobile internet networks, offers significantly higher data download and upload speeds.

It also allows more devices to connect to the internet at the same time.

It comes at a time when data usage is on the rise, thanks to the growing popularity of video and music streaming. As a result of this, governments and cell phone network operators are being pushed to strengthen their telecommunications infrastructures.

Following the Canadian government’s decision, telecom companies in the nation will no longer be permitted to employ Huawei and ZTE equipment.

According to Mr Champagne, companies that have already installed Chinese-made equipment must now remove it.

In September 2018, Canada announced a review of Huawei equipment.

Governments in the United States and other Western countries have targeted some of China’s largest technology and telecom corporations in recent years due to national security concerns.

President Joe Biden of the United States signed legislation in November prohibiting corporations deemed to be security concerns from acquiring new telecoms equipment licences in the country.

It means Huawei, ZTE, and three other Chinese companies’ equipment can’t be used in US telecom networks.