Coronavirus: Huawei urges UK not to make 5G U-turn after pandemic
Chinese telecoms company Huawei has said that disrupting its involvement in the rollout of 5G would do Britain "a disservice".
In January, the UK government approved a limited role for Huawei in building the country's new data networks.
But in March, a backbench rebellion within the Conservative party signalled efforts to overturn the move.
In an open letter, the firm also said it was focused on keeping the UK connected during the Covid-19 crisis.
But the pandemic may increase pressure on the government to take a tougher line on the company.
'Slow lane'
In the letter, Huawei's UK chief Victor Zhang says home data use has increased by at least 50% since the virus first hit the UK, placing "significant pressure" on telecoms systems.
Huawei says it has been working with partners like BT, Vodafone and EE to deal with the growth and has also set up three new warehouses around the country to ensure spare parts stay in supply.
Mr Zhang also says the current crisis has highlighted how many people, especially in rural communities, are "stuck in a digital slow lane". And he warns that excluding Huawei from a future role in 5G would be a mistake.
"There are those who choose to continue to attack us without presenting any evidence," he writes.
"Disrupting our involvement in the 5G rollout would do Britain a disservice."
The government has banned Huawei from the most sensitive parts of the UK's mobile networks, and limited it to 35% of the periphery, which includes its radio masts.
But critics argue it is a security risk to allow the Chinese company to play any role at all because of fears it could be used by Beijing to spy on or even sabotage communications.
In early March, 38 Conservatives MPs rebelled on the issue, a larger number than expected. That points to a potential upset when the Telecoms Infrastructure Bill comes before Parliament, which is planned to happen later in the year.
The coronavirus crisis highlights the tension between economic and national security issues that makes the topic so contentious.
On the one hand, there is a need to strengthen ties to promote economic growth. Those who support the role of Huawei believe that excluding them will slow down and increase the cost of delivering faster and more reliable networks.
On the other hand, because of the improper handling of China ’s initial Covid-19 epidemic and the widespread concern about the increasing reliance on its technology and companies, people are angry at China in some ways.
Recently, ministers and senior officials who did not wish to be named said that once the current crisis is over, they must "re-fight".
Part of the reason may involve the revocation of the January decision-fears may explain the decision to write this letter.
On April 4, a group of 15 Conservative MPs called for reconsideration of relations with China in a letter to the prime minister. This was the letter he wrote the day before admission.
The organization wrote: "As time goes by, we make ourselves more and more dependent on China, and fail to consider the long-term economic, technological and security needs of the UK from a strategic perspective." Iain Duncan Smith, David Davis and Bob Seely are signed By.
It is understood that Huawei did not release the letter until the Prime Minister was discharged from the hospital.