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Australia bars Huawei from national network
26 March 2012
Australian government says security concerns means Huawei cannot take supply equipment for NBN
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Huawei
Australia
security
NBN
national broadband network
The Australian government has ruled out Huawei on security grounds as a possible supplier to its National Broadband Network, which aims to connect 93% of households and businesses with optical fibre.
The government rejected Huawei’s bid for participation in the NBN rollout because of concerns on cyber attacks originating in China, and has expressed its commitment towards safeguarding the nationwide network, reports The Australian newspaper.
A spokesman for Australian attorney-general Nicola Roxon said in a statement: “The National Broadband Network is the largest nation-building project in Australian history, and it will become the backbone of Australia's information infrastructure. As such, and as a strategic and significant government investment, we have a responsibility to do our utmost to protect its integrity and that of the information carried on it. This is consistent with the government’s practice for ensuring the security and resilience of Australia’s critical infrastructure more broadly.”
Government officials reportedly told Huawei in late 2011 “not to bother” tendering for supply contracts for the NBN, suggesting the firm would not succeed, and also highlighted Chinese cyber attacks.
Local media reported in 2011 that computers used by Julia Gillard, prime minister of Australia, and other ministers were hacked, supposedly by Chinese intelligence services. GTB
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