Two European nations appear to be cooling on allowing Chinese tech giant Huawei become an integral part of their 5G telecoms networks.
The head of the French cyber-security agency said it was urging national telecoms companies to avoid switching to Huawei, but there would not be a complete ban on using it.
Guillaume Poupard spoke to Les Echos newspaper on Sunday, as the Sunday Telegraph reported that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was ready to phase out Huawei's role in his country's 5G network.
UK officials are drawing up plans to expedite the removal of existing Huawei equipment, although an exact timetable has yet to be set, Bloomberg reported.
The decision would mark an about-face by Mr Johnson’s administration, which in January cleared Huawei to take part in the UK’s 5G project subject to strict conditions, including a ban on its equipment in parts of the network considered to be sensitive.
The US government has wanted its allies to exclude Huawei from the West's next-generation communications, saying Beijing could use it for spying. Huawei has denied the charges.
France's decision over Huawei's equipment is crucial for two of the country's four telecoms operators, Bouygues Telecom and SFR, because about half of their current mobile network is made by the Chinese group.
“What I can say is that there won't be a total ban," Mr Poupard said. "For operators that are not currently using Huawei, we are inciting them not to go for it.
"For those that are already using Huawei, we are delivering authorisations for durations that vary between three and eight years."
He said that from next week, operators that have not received explicit authorisation to use Huawei equipment for the 5G network can consider it a rejection of their requests.
Mr Poupard said the choice was made to protect French independence, and not as an act of hostility towards China.
"This is not Huawei bashing or anti-Chinese racism," he said. "All we're saying is that the risk is not the same with European suppliers as with non-Europeans."
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Living in...
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