Government considers Huawei 5G ban

Communications Minister Kris Faafoi says he has "not ruled out" banning Huawei from building 5G networks.

Huawei is already locked out of major telecommunications infrastructure project in Australia and the US.

Faafoi's comments come after Australia Signals Directorate chief Mike Burgess said Chinese companies like Huawei or ZTE could not be allowed to help build Australia’s 5G mobile network, because a potential threat anywhere in the network could undermine the entire project.

Grid, water also at risk

Burgess also warned his country's electricity grid and water supplies would not have been adequately protected had a Chinese company been allowed to build the country’s 5G networks.

Huawei is the main network equipment supplier for Spark's 4G network. It also works with 2degrees. the company has operated in New Zealand for 13 years. Spark has recently worked with Huawei to upgrade cellular towers to 4.5G. Earlier this year Huawei worked with Spark on a successful 5G demonstration network in Wellington.

Spark plans to build a 5G network in time for the 2020 America's Cup races in Auckland. It has not yet confirmed Huawei as its technology partner for the 5G build, but there is only a limited number of companies to choose from.

Nothing to hide

Huawei New Zealand deputy managing director Andrew Bowater says: "Huawei has nothing to hide and we happily open ourselves up to more scrutiny than any other player in the market and we will continue to do whatever it takes to provide our customers and partners as well as the government, the trust and confidence they need.

"The issues have always been based on politics, rumour and innuendo. There has never been any evidence of wrongdoing by Huawei.

"Any network can be vulnerable to risk and it would be almost naïve to think focusing on one company will somehow protect New Zealand’s interests. The risks must be addressed rationally through a joined up approach to security across the whole industry, customers and government."

Sky TV wins My Box case

Sky TV is celebrating an important court win against My Box, the streaming service that advertised its ability to play Sky's content for free. The Auckland High Court ruled that My Box cannot describe its service as legal and that using its hardware and software to show Sky-owned material is a breach of copyright.

The court will hold a hearing to determine costs early next year.

Sophie Moloney, Sky’s general counsel says: “This decision, along with the recent ruling against Fibre TV boxes in Christchurch, sends a very clear message to New Zealanders that these services are not all they are cracked up to be.”

Nokia launches WaveSuite apps after Chorus trials

Nokia has launched three WaveSuite optical networking apps that were trialled by Chorus. The apps help carriers virtualise network infrastructure and pave the wave for software-defined networking. Among other functions, the apps automate provisioning and record keeping. This speeds up deployment, service activation and troubleshooting.

Nokia's WaveSuite Network Insight apps give a carrier real-time network analysis, they make it possible to spot trends and make predictions so that carriers can increase capacity as needed.

Faafoi aims for early 2020 5G spectrum allocation

BusinessDesk reports that Communications Minister Kris Faafoi says 5G spectrum allocation is on track for early 2020 "if everything goes to plan". There had been fears the change of minister would delay the process, but Faafoi says the aim is to stick to the original timetable.

Spark renews Nokia phone exclusive with 7.1 model

Spark says it will continue selling Nokia phones through an exclusive deal with HMD Global, the company that now owns the Nokia phone brand.

This week it began selling the Nokia 7.1, it's a $600 Android phone which has been optimised for watching video. Nokia uses the Android One version of the operating system, this gives a purer Android experience but more important, it comes with a commitment to regular security patches and software updates.

Spark Finance adds new bank facility

Spark Finance, the subsidiary that manages Spark's borrowing activities announced a new $100 million committed revolving facility with The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. It matures on 30 November 2021. Spark says the money will drawn as needed for general purposes It replaces an existing $100 million committed revolving bank facility that matured this week.