TOKYO: The British government asked Japan to help build its 5G wireless networks without Huawei Technologies, the Nikkei said on Sunday, a further step in a global technology and security war between the US and China.
Britain named NEC Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd. as potential alternative suppliers to Huawei, the business daily reported.
British officials met with their counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday, two days after Britain ordered Huawei equipment purged from its 5G networks by the end of 2027, the Nikkei said.
As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, fears over the security of Huawei have forced PM Boris Johnson to choose between the US and China, weighing a critical alliance against billions in investment. The Nikkei said the latest move reflects Britain’s effort to bring in new equipment suppliers to foster competition and help reduce costs for the country’s wireless carriers.
British Digital Minister Oliver Dowden last week said Britain was working with its allies to foster stronger rivals to Huawei, naming firms from Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.
