New Zealand's Spark Picks Nokia for 5G Network After Huawei Concerns

By Stephen Wright

Spark New Zealand Ltd. (SPK.NZ) has selected Nokia Corp. (NOKIA.HE) to build its 5G telecommunications network after the New Zealand government rejected its original plans to rely solely on China's Huawei Technologies Co.

Spark said Monday that Huawei is still a potential supplier.

However, to get equipment from the Chinese company, the New Zealand telco would need to first obtain clearance from a government intelligence agency that vetoed Huawei last year over national-security concerns.

Huawei, which makes phones and telecoms-network equipment, has for years faced suspicions from several nations over security, including claims that it could serve as a vehicle for espionage by the Chinese government.

New Zealand is part of a five-nation intelligence-sharing arrangement called "Five Eyes" with the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Canada, all of which are among the countries that have voiced concerns about Huawei.

Spark said Monday that it has withdrawn its original application for Huawei to be its sole 5G-equipment supplier and will use Norway's Nokia instead.

The company said it will seek approval under the country's Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security Act 2013 before deploying any equipment from Huawei or from Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE).

Spark said the South Korean company is also on its "preferred supplier list."

Write to Stephen Wright at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 18, 2019 01:32 ET (06:32 GMT)

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