Huawei to Request UK to Delay 5G Network Removal

China's Huawei Technologies has requested a meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to hammer out an agreement to delay its future exclusion from the country's 5 G phone network, Sunday Times announced.

The Chinese telecoms equipment maker is seeking to delay its removal from the country's 5G telecoms networks until after elections in June 2025, with the hope that the new government may reverse the decision, the newspaper reported.

In return, Huawei will undertake to maintain its equipment in the United Kingdom, which is also used in the 2 G, 3 G and 4 G networks, the report added.

In January, Britain granted Huawei a limited role in its future 5 G networks, but the ministers have since said that the introduction of US sanctions against the company means that it may no longer be a reliable supplier.

Johnson has faced intense pressure from the United States and some British lawmakers to ban the telecommunications equipment maker on security grounds.

China's ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, warned last week that getting rid of Huawei would send a "very bad message" to Chinese business.

Government updates on the Chinese company is expected to be published before July 22, according to the Minister of State and official.

Source: Reuters