Outside In | Huawei is the heart of darkness for US policymakers, resulting in a defensive approach to 5G development
- David Dodwell says US paranoia towards Chinese 5G development, led by Huawei, may see a wholly unnecessary and potentially harmful divide in the world’s digital economy
The report calls for nationalisation of the US’ 5G roll-out plans to protect US technology leadership, and to keep the US internet secure from China, “the dominant malicious actor in the Information Domain”. The report says, “Europe led 3G development, the US led 4G, and with these market-altering activities the Chinese may be poised to lead in 5G Huawei.”
The effort could eventually “help inoculate developing countries against Chinese neo-colonial behaviour” and “by ensuring the network is built with security as a foundational principle, Americans can concentrate on living their lives without fear of walking dangerous digital streets”.
It specifically mentions Huawei’s use of “market-distorting pricing and preferential financing to dominate the global market for telecommunications infrastructure”. It cites a 2017 memo from the secretary of defence that says: “The advent of the internet … has changed the character of modern warfare. In the 21st century freedom is won and lost in the information domain.”