We Need to Talk About Huawei’s Smart Factory Risk
If the Chinese telecom equipment maker can eavesdrop on mobile phone networks, what about heavy industry?
We’ve heard from the carriers. Now about those factories...
Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/BloombergAny mobile operator wanting to do government business in the U.K., France or Germany these days probably needs to pledge not to lean on gear from Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. However, what amounts to a de facto ban on the Chinese firm’s telecoms equipment isn’t enough to secure the national interest. It omits one key consideration: connected factories.
Orange SA CEO Stephane Richard reiterated on Tuesday that the former French former national carrier wouldn’t be using equipment made by Huawei in its 5G networks amid cybersecurity concerns. The U.K.’s BT Group Plc is already removing gear made by the Chinese company from its existing mobile network, and Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG is reviewing its procurement strategy. None of these European governments have yet issued a formal prohibition on the sale of Huawei’s technology.