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US and Poland sign 5G security agreement

September 06, 2019

  • The United States and Poland have signed a joint declaration, agreeing to strengthen co-operation on 5G security and outlined criteria for 5G equipment used in the European country.
  • The US and Poland believe that suppliers of 5G network equipment should be rigorously evaluated for foreign government control, a notion that takes place as Washington pressures allies to exclude China from 5G networks.
  • Tensions between the US and China have increased over recent months, as security claims are made about Huawei by US officials.
  • Huawei denies all accusations and also has a strong footprint in Poland, with additional plans to invest 3 billion PLN (678 million EUR) in the country by the end of 2024.

This article was originally published on Mobile World Live

Image source: Reuters

 

The US and Poland agreed to strengthen collaboration on 5G security and outlined criteria for organisations supplying equipment used in network rollouts in the European country.

In a statement, the nations noted it was essential that a careful and complete evaluation of 5G equipment and software providers was conducted to protect networks from unauthorised access or interference.

Specific elements the document cited were assessments on

whether the supplier is subject, without independent judicial review, to control by a foreign government; whether the supplier has a transparent ownership structure; and whether the supplier has a record of ethical corporate behaviour and is subject to a legal regime that enforces transparent corporate practices.

The elements echo claims made about Huawei by US officials over recent months as tensions increased between the US and China. The vendor strenuously denies all accusations against it and also has a strong footprint in Poland, with additional plans to invest PLN3 billion ($753 million) in the country by the end of 2024.

Poland and the US also endorsed statements made at the Prague 5G Security Conference earlier this year, emphasising the need for 5G networks to be constructed based on fair competition, transparency and within the law.

The document was signed by Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and US Vice President Mike Pence and came after media reports revealed the two were set to make a declaration during a visit to Warsaw by high-ranking US officials.

Although backed by governments in both nations, the pledge is relatively vague in its commitments and does not cite specific companies or make any move around outright bans.