Recent public commentary around China has referenced Huawei and its role in Australia and prompted some observations around security concerns. Many of these comments are ill-informed and not based on facts.

On behalf of Huawei Australia’s board and our 700-plus employees, we want to provide a factual basis for further discussion about Huawei and our important role in ensuring the world’s best telecommunications technologies are shared by Australians.

Since starting operations in Australia almost 15 years ago, Huawei has grown every year and now stands as the nation’s largest provider of wireless technology. We are already an established player in Australia’s information and communications technology (ICT) ecosystem. One in every two Australians now rely on us for their daily communication needs. Our telecommunications equipment connects millions of Australian businesses and consumers every day on the Vodafone, Optus and TPG mobile networks.

Huawei Australia’s investment in telecoms infrastructure has driven incredible improvements and reliability in the Optus and Vodafone networks and now Australia has a vigorously contested wireless telecoms market that sees your constituents reaping the benefits from the enhanced competition.

Australians want fast, affordable and reliable telecommunications services. The injection of Huawei’s world-leading technologies has unquestionably played an important role in creating the dynamic and competitive telecommunications industry Australia enjoys today. Increased competition not only means cheaper prices but most importantly better access to the latest technologies and innovation.

As focus turns to investment in the next generation of telecom technologies in Australia, cybersecurity is a key consideration for Australian policymakers. We welcome an open and transparent conversation on this important subject based on facts.

Huawei is the world’s number one telecom infrastructure provider, working with 45 of the top 50 international telecom operators, including Vodafone, BT in the UK, Telus in Canada, Spark in New Zealand, and Telefonica and Deutsche Telecom across Europe. Huawei is a trusted partner with these global giants which rely on our pioneering and reliable technology for their business.

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We are a private company, owned by our employees with no other shareholders. In each of the 170 countries where we operate, we abide by the national laws and guidelines. To do otherwise would end our business overnight.

With our 5G investments in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand, the respective governments have taken up our offers for evaluation of our technology to ensure it abides by its cybersecurity protocols. In our ongoing discussions with Australian Government agencies about our 5G proposal, Huawei has also offered to build an evaluation and testing centre to ensure independent verification of our equipment right here in Australia, just as we have done in other countries.

We have an open invitation for Australian officials and security agencies to meet with our world-leading research and development teams to better understand our technology.

We have hosted similar visits in recent times from security departments representing the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. These engagements have fostered a better understanding in this critical policy area for both parties. Importantly, it has also cleared the way for those nations to access the world’s best telecommunications technologies. This infrastructure creates a competitive and safe telecom industry and networks.

Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy and New Zealand, just to name a few, have managed to embrace Huawei’s technology within their own national security frameworks. We believe this can be done in Australia also. To completely exclude Huawei from 5G in Australia means excluding Huawei from the entire Australian market and we don’t believe this would be in Australia’s best interest.

All of these measures illustrate our transparency on the cybersecurity issue. We firmly believe two-way communication and learnings creates a better and safer ICT landscape for everyone, principally the Australian community.

As a Member of the Australian Parliament we would like to welcome the opportunity to discuss our business with you and your colleagues to generate a better understanding of how we operate. Enclosed is a brochure to help you appreciate the extent of the important work we already do in Australia and to see the great team that is Huawei Australia. If you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss any issues please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

John Lord AM, Chairman                                                                                                                    John Brumby AO, Board Director                                                                                                  Lance Hockridge, Board Director