Why has Canada banned Huawei from using 5G? Here’s what to know – Country

The federal government is banning China Huawei Technology from participating in Canada’s 5G wireless network. Here’s a look at what led to this decision and what you need to know about this next-generation wireless technology:

5G technology gives Canadians faster phone and internet connections, and provides massive data capacity as innovation evolves and demand grows.

The technology that powers the network has been redesigned from previous generations. 5G relies on multiple antennas to move the signal around, transmitting it quickly between locations. Phone users won’t notice an increase in speed if they’re making calls, surfing the internet, or using online apps as the difference is around 100 milliseconds, but it’s noticeable at larger scale.

Read more:

China will consider Canada’s Huawei, ZTE ban ‘a slap in the face’, experts warn

3:23
Trudeau defends Huawei 5G ban, acknowledges potential challenges to trade with China

The antenna is also smaller and can be placed in more locations such as buildings or street lights. Rogers Communications Inc., Bell Canada, parent company BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. have been expanding their 5G networks over the past few years, starting in major cities.

In a 2020 report, GMSA Intelligence, the research arm of a group representing mobile operators worldwide, estimated that 5G will add $150 billion to the Canadian economy through 2020. 2040.

In other words, it estimates 5G will drive the same annual level of economic activity as the aerospace sector. The federal government estimates that in 2019, the aerospace industry contributed more than $20.3 billion to the country’s gross domestic product and supported 1600,000 jobs.

Privacy concerns are the main driving force behind the ban. Conservatives have been pushing the Trudeau government to make the move to block Huawei from building Canada’s 5G infrastructure, arguing that this would allow China to spy on Canadians. Huawei and the Chinese government have strongly denied the allegations, saying the company poses no security threat.

Three of Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance – the US, UK and Australia – have taken decisive steps to restrict the use of Huawei equipment in their respective countries’ 5G networks. family family.

1:20
Canada conducts ‘extensive’ checks before Huawei, ZTE ban: Minister Mendicino

New Zealand has rejected an offer by a telecommunications company to use 5G technology from Huawei, citing national security concerns, but said in 2020 it would not outright ban any supplier. any.

While some Canadian wireless providers had originally planned to work with Huawei, they backed out of the partnership in light of the federal government’s decision. In 2020, BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. announced it will partner with Sweden’s Ericsson as a supplier for their 5G network.

Rogers in March launched its standalone 5G network in partnership with Ericsson, and the company said on Thursday that’s unchanged. “Rogers is focused on continuing to roll out 5G across Canada with our partner Ericsson,” said director of media relations Chloe Luciani-Girouard. “Today’s decision does not affect our planning and implementation.”