Huawei is competing in the game?
According to a report by the Philippines "World Journal" on December 15, Philippine cyber security expert Angel Avilia said that recent reports on Chinese network products should raise concerns about the existing partnerships between local telecommunications companies and Chinese companies such as Huawei. Warning.
In the past few weeks, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have banned the use of Huawei Technologies' 5G network deployment products on the grounds of so-called “security issues”. Both Philippine operators PLDT and Global Telecom have cooperated with Huawei to develop 5G networks.
In February last year, PLDT and Huawei reached an agreement on the development of a 5G network, including the establishment of an innovation laboratory. The two companies also signed a $28.5 million agreement in January to reform PLDT's wireless service delivery platform.
Global Telecom reached an agreement with Huawei in 2011 to cooperate in upgrading and expanding its network and establishing a mobile innovation center. The agreement was updated in 2015.
China Telecom is a shareholder of the Philippines Mislatel Group, which became the new telecommunications operator in the Philippines last month.
Philippine cybersecurity expert William Emmanuel said in an email interview: “The problem with Huawei is that it is a private company and is not affected by the typical corporate governance practices applicable to other companies. But I agree that the Philippines should improve information security. . At the very least, it should be an example of good information security."
Last week, the outgoing head of the Information and Communications Technology Department of the Philippines, Eliseo Leo, told BusinessWorld that he did not regard the problems of Chinese technology companies as worrisome.
Leo said in a text message: "The countries you mentioned prohibit the use of Chinese products in their telecommunication networks. These countries have more security problems than ours." The countries he refers to are the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Leo added: "So far, our national security has not faced any major threats. But even now, we are still strengthening network security to further protect our cyberspace."