“It is entirely appropriate and part of NCSC’s duty to highlight potential risks to the UK’s national security and provide advice based on our technical expertise," Dr. Ian Levy, Technical Director of the NCSC, comments.
“NCSC assess that the national security risks arising from the use of ZTE equipment or services within the context of the existing UK telecommunications infrastructure cannot be mitigated."
Dr. Levy’s letter to telecoms providers sets out the NCSC’s technical advice in regard to the potential use of ZTE equipment and services in the UK telecommunications infrastructure.
According to the BBC, the US House Intelligence Committee had previously warned that both ZTE and another Chinese firm, Huawei, posed security threats. The US has now blacklisted ZTE, preventing it from using US components, along with issuing a bill which prohibits the purchase of Huawei products by public authorities.