Huawei’s British prospects dented as BT seeks new broadband supplier
- Optic fibre vendor evaluation process has begun as phone company tries to reduce reliance on Chinese telecoms company
- Move underscores pressure to curtail Huawei’s dominant position in communication networks following warnings that firm may be a security risk
Britain’s dominant phone company is looking for a new broadband equipment supplier to reduce its reliance on China’s Huawei Technologies as it prepares to connect millions of homes to optic fibre.
BT Group’s infrastructure division Openreach has started an evaluation process to seek a third strategic vendor alongside Huawei and Finland’s Nokia Oyj for the full-fibre roll-out, a spokesman said in response to questions from Bloomberg News.
US-based vendors are likely to be among the bidders, said people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.
“We already manage a large and diverse supply chain across our full-fibre build, and we’re constantly reviewing our options to make sure we can carry on building a high-quality network that offers great value for money,” the BT Openreach spokesman said by email. He declined to say which companies may be considered.
Britain’s National Infrastructure Commission said last year it would cost £33.4 billion (US$43 billion) to build and maintain a national full fibre network over 30 years.