5G and Security: There is More to Worry about than Huawei

Given much of the recent coverage surrounding security and the fifth generation (5G) of cellular networks, you would be forgiven for assuming that security concerns are largely limited to China in general and Huawei in particular.

This is not the case.



Equally important are the concerns for United States’ security that extend beyond Huawei’s role in the development and deployment of 5G technology. Notably, while Huawei amplifies many pre-existing areas of concern, 5G would represent a significant challenge for American national security even if China was not a peer competitor in the market.

As a consequence, it would behoove policy makers, scholars, and industry leaders alike to recognize the breadth and character of national security concerns before advocating for specific policy solutions, especially those tailored largely to the threats posed by a single multinational technology company.