A new report indicates the UK must use different suppliers for 5G networks following Huawei's ousting from many major European deals over alleged cybersecurity concerns.
5G
Nations looking to incorporate 5G technologies must effectively start from scratch as the infrastructure supplied by Huawei will be phased out over the next few years, which could require significant investment to work effectively.
Read more: Huawei appeal ban from Sweden's 5G networks
The report was published by the vendor diversity task force and commissioned by the government.
The data suggests as much as 25% of the equipment used in the building of new 5G networks should come from smaller equipment manufacturers.
The report also states Britain and a number of allies in western Europe should work together in order to provide standards and regulations to help underpin these networks and help them become leaders to compete with other major players such as China.
Since last year, Huawei - a major Chinese telecoms player - has been progressively banned across Europe and the west at the behest of the US, who fear the company may be using its infrastructure to relay information back to the Chinese state.
This seems to have a basis within law, as companies may be required by law to provide information should Beijing request it, although it is unknown to what extent this applies.
The company recently appealed a ban in Sweden and is set to continue to fight for the right to do business within much of Europe.
Major 5G players are currently embroiled in a contest of sorts, to see who can provide the highest network speeds.
Network speeds and bandwidth, as well as constant connection and increased interconnectivity, are the major innovations for 5G networks over their 4G counterparts.
Read more: Nokia, Elisa & Qualcomm achieve record networks speeds as 5G battle rages on
However, a number of British operators feel they have become too reliant on Ericsson and Nokia, Huawei's two main competitors, with the three companies having dominated the mobile networks scene for over a decade.
Back in September, the government launched the vendor diversity task force in a bid to diversify the British telecoms industry.
This also has the knock-on effect of helping to avoid "high-risk" companies such as Huawei.
The Financial Times, which received the report, stated that the government is looking to "stretch" the market share for 5G equipment provided by smaller suppliers.
The task force is being led by former BT chief executive and trade minister Lord Ian Livingston.
He believes the 25% target represents a sensible goal for the mid-decade and will also help get efficient and effective networks up and running in a timely manner.
This should also offer a boost to a number of third parties such as US-based Mavenir and Airspan, which have been looking at expanding their networks into Britain.
This 25% market share could stand to include larger providers such as Nokia, provided radio access networks are compatible with the equipment provided by others.
Read more: Germany passes law to block Huawei from 5G networks
However, the report indicates it should not be necessary for direct government funding to provide the infrastructure for the switch to 5G, including in the estimated £2 billion (€2.31 billion) costs in replacing Huawei tech by the 2027 deadline.
Instead, the report suggests tax breaks or incentives for mobile operators which could supposedly set up for innovations and upgrades.
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