(Alliance News) - BT Group PLC and Vodafone Group PLC will warn the UK's prime minister that the country's digital growth could be stunted if Chinese firm Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's is banned, Sky News reported on Friday.
The bosses of the two FTSE 100-constiuents will write a letter to Boris Johnson in support of Huawei's involvement in the 5G mobile network upgrade in the UK, according to Sky News.
Industry sources told the broadcaster that neither Vodafone nor BT have seen any evidence that would justify banning Huawei.
https://news.sky.com/story/bt-and-vodafone-to-lobby-pm-in-support-of-huawei-1191069
On Tuesday, Johnson said he would not risk Britain's security when upgrading the nation's 5G communications network – but said critics of the Chinese technology firm must come up with an "alternative" provider.
In an interview with the BBC, the prime minister said he did not want to "prejudice" the country's ability to share intelligence with allies in the so-called Five Eyes arrangement – a collaboration between the UK, Australia, US, Canada and New Zealand – as a result of the improvements he had promised voters in his election manifesto.
It was reported on Tuesday that Washington had stepped-up efforts to try and prevent Downing Street from backing Huawei's involvement in Britain's switch over to 5G.
BT shares were 0.3% higher at 183.50 pence each in London on Friday afternoon. Vodafone was 0.4% lower 155.02p.
By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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