Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill — Clause 1 — Communications Network Operators — High Risk Vendors — Access to Install Services — 10 Mar 2020 at 15:15

The majority of MPs voted not to restrict those network operators able to use a new process to seek a court order giving them access and permission to install their services to operators not using suppliers defined by the National Cyber Security Centre as high-risk.

The rejected amendment

MPs were considering the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill^[1].

The amendment rejected in this vote was:

• Amendment 1, in clause 1, page 2, line 16, at end insert—
• "(f) the operator does not, after 31 December 2022, use vendors defined by the National Cyber Security Centre as high-risk vendors."

The NCSC advice on the use of equipment from high risk vendors in UK telecoms networks^[2] states:

• In order to minimise the additional cyber security risk caused by [high risk vendors], NCSC believe it is necessary and proportionate to limit their presence in networks
• ...
• Huawei has always been considered higher risk by the UK government and a risk mitigation strategy has been in place since they first began to supply into the UK.
• ...
• Huawei is the only HRV which currently has in place a bespoke risk mitigation strategy.
• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Explanatory notes to the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill, Parliament.uk
• [3] NCSC advice on the use of equipment from high risk vendors in UK telecoms networks, UK National Cyber Security Centre

Debate in Parliament |