Canada-China relationship a factor in 5G decision, says minister for SaskTel

Canada’s crumbling relationship with China factored into SaskTel’s decision to have Samsung build its 5G network.

“Given the current circumstances right now, it’s not a good time for us to be moving towards 5G with Huawei,” Don Morgan, the province’s minister responsible for SaskTel, said Tuesday.

Speaking to Gormley, Morgan said SaskTel considered other companies including Nokia and Ericsson.

The relationship between the two countries has turned icy in the last few years since Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was detained by Canadian authorities on suspicion of breaking U.S. trade sanctions.

China has detained a pair of Canadians, widely believed to be in retaliation. The country has also placed restrictions on imports of Canadian canola, a staple of Saskatchewan’s exports.

As Huawei is based in China, there have been fears that its technology could be used for espionage.

“SaskTel tells us that the technology for 4G is not subject to being hacked but there’s certainly potential for things to take place with 5G and we were not prepared to take that risk,” Morgan said.

The company’s 4G network includes Huawei parts and Morgan said it has “certainly served us well.”

When the transition to 5G happens, Samsung parts will gradually replace Huawei’s technology.

Morgan said Huawei’s 4G technology will be redeployed to serve communities where cellphone coverage is poor.