BT Group, the British telecommunications operator, has successfully completed the deadline set by the government to migrate data flow away from the primary networking equipment provided by Chinese supplier Huawei Technologies. In a recent Bloomberg report, BT confirmed that “all 4G and 5G data sessions and voice calls are now being handled by non-Huawei infrastructure,” accounting for over 99% of the total network traffic.
To meet stringent restrictions imposed by the British government, BT Group had to move a total of 30 million active customers onto equipment other than Huawei’s. This process, which contributed to ensuring the security of the national telecommunications networks, was a significant undertaking for the operator. Despite the challenge, BT Group has made significant progress, with only 1% of data remaining on the old 2G and 3G networks.
Although BT Group has not provided an estimated completion date for the migration process, their achievements so far demonstrate their commitment to providing the highest standards of security and network reliability. The successful transition away from Huawei equipment has also helped them avoid potential penalties for non-compliance, which could have reached up to 10% of their revenue, amounting to $126,560 for each day of non-compliance.
The UK government’s decision to ban the use of Huawei devices in 5G networks until the end of 2027 was driven by concerns over national security and the impact of US sanctions on the supplier. Initially, a deadline of January 2023 was set for removing Huawei equipment from the core network. However, after BT’s appeal, an extension until December 31, 2023, was granted.
The successful migration marks a significant milestone in the UK’s efforts to secure its telecommunications infrastructure. At the same time, it underscores the challenges associated with transitioning away from Huawei devices, as the supplier must adjust its supply chains due to US sanctions. Completing this process will allow the UK to focus on building a secure and resilient 5G network for its citizens and businesses.
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