Australia has banned Chinese telecoms equipment makers Huawei and ZTE from providing 5G technology to local mobile phone operators due to concerns over national security. 

The decision marks a major blow for Huawei, the world’s biggest telecoms equipment maker, which has lobbied hard to retain its role in providing equipment in the Australian market. The Company has previously warned a ban would be unfair and severely impact its business in the country, where it commands about 55 per cent of the market for 4G- the current generation of mobile technology. 

“We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia,” said the Shenzhen-based company in a short statement on social media.