Czech PM Babiš, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo sign 5G network agreement

Prague, May 6 (CTK) – Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed today a declaration that is will ensure a method of looking for reliable and trustworthy suppliers of 5G rapid mobile networks and protect them, the Czech Government Office has told journalists.

Babiš and Pompeo spoke over the phone instead of attending a planned conference on the development of 5G networks that was to be held in Prague at the National Museum, and at which Pompeo was to deliver the main speech.

The Czech Republic is preparing an auction of frequencies for 5G networks. The Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) says it may start mid-year.

The Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE may be among the bidders for the hardware and software.

In 2018, the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NUKIB) warned that the the two Chinese companies may pose a security risk.

In late April, the Senate asked the government to clear up its position to the question of whether Huawei and ZTE could take part in the implementation of 5G networks in the Czech Republic.

The document, signed remotely, is called the United States – Czech Republic Joint Declaration on 5G Security.

“The declaration aims to build joint forces of 5G networks that will be protected against unauthorized access and potential attacks. They are to ensure privacy and protection of fundamental rights of citizens,” the Government Office said.

The process of selecting trustworthy suppliers of technologies will contribute to national security and will be another opportunity for further development and innovations in the private sector.

The two countries, Czechia and the USA, also supported further discussions about the security of 5G networks in NATO, the Government Office said.

Babiš said the conference on 5G in Prague might take place in September instead.

The USA has accused Huawei of theft of technologies and espionage for Beijing and it has blacklisted it. The firm has denied the allegations.