House Republicans Seek to Condemn UK on Huawei; US Eyes Alternative 5G Software

House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Mike McCaul, Texas, led a resolution with House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and two other committee GOP members criticizing the U.K.’s decision to allow equipment from Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei on “non-core” parts of its communications infrastructure (see 2001280074). The resolution says the U.K. parliament should “reject or amend” the decision and makes it the sense of the House that 5G networks “that incorporate products and services developed by Chinese companies face significant technological, political, ethical, and geopolitical risk.” The resolution’s other co-sponsors are Reps. Mike Turner, Ohio, and Ted Yoho, Florida. Cheney was among lawmakers who recently filed legislation to bar the U.S. from sharing intelligence “with any country that permits operation within its national borders” of Huawei-produced 5G equipment (see 2001080002). The White House didn’t comment on a report it’s working with Microsoft, AT&T, Dell and other U.S. tech companies to develop software for 5G networks aimed at creating a viable alternative to Huawei equipment. Dell and its VMware subsidiary work "with governments and carriers around the world in support of many modern technology solutions," a spokesperson emailed. "We are actively supporting 5G and the rapid deployment of 5G services and are excited about the opportunities it presents.” The other companies didn’t comment.