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Europe must ensure security of 5G networks: Polish PM

16.07.2020 12:30
Europe must adopt “robust measures” to ensure the security of new 5G networks, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz MorawieckiPhoto: PAP/Marcin Obara

“We call on all countries and companies, especially our European neighbours, to adopt robust measures to secure their 5G networks”, Morawiecki said in an op-ed piece published by Britain’s The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

“Just as in epidemiological security, a realistic approach towards technological protection is essential for long-term maintenance of the economic rules of the game that will serve – and save – us all”, he added.

Last year, Poland and the United States signed an agreement to work together in ensuring security for new 5G telecoms technology.

The joint declaration came amid growing concerns about Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and network security policies.

“Today, our globalised world is facing undue influence from authoritarian regimes – at Europe’s expense”, Morawiecki said in his op-ed in The Daily Telegraph.

He added: “Technological security, just like epidemiological security, is a crucial part of national security. Countries must be able to control suppliers to ensure safety, which is why they must be from nations that respect our fundamental values: democracy, transparency, human rights and the rule of law.”

5G is a new telecommunications standard that will enable transmission speeds 50 or even 100 times faster than the current 4G network.

The new technology is expected to accelerate the development of the internet of things, telemedicine, autonomous vehicles and smart cities.

The European Commission wants 5G coverage for at least one city in every EU member state by 2020, and all major cities and key transport routes in the bloc to be covered by 2025, Polish state news agency PAP has reported.

Britain announced on Tuesday that it would completely remove equipment by Chinese tech giant Huawei from the country’s 5G network by the end of 2027, Reuters news agency reported.

(jh/pk)

Source: The Daily Telegraph, PAP