Huawei banned from Aussie broadband project

MELBOURNE -- China's telecom giant Huawei on Friday confirmed that the ban by Australian government on Huawei from participating the National Broadband Network (NBN) project continues, saying it was "extremely disappointed" with the decision.

Compared with Huawei's expansion in the US, which has run into roadblocks, the company has been welcomed in most European countries.Provided to China Daily

At the same time, Prime Minister Tony Abbott also reportedly reiterated his promise of the ban to the country's opposition leader.

In an internal letter obtained by Xinhua, Huawei Australia Chairman John Lord told his 700 staff to "hold their heads up high," saying they should be proud of this company.

"We are extremely disappointed with this decision..... Huawei's business in Australia has never been dependent on the NBN. Despite the NBN decision, last year was our most successful year to date and today Huawei's Australian business is bigger than ever," Lord said in the letter.

He also said that the Australian government's decision is the exception, not the rule.

"Huawei is building eight of the nine NBNs around the world, including the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and more. These countries have not embraced Huawei cautiously, they have embraced us with open arms," said the chairman.

Huawei Australia was banned by the former Labor government earlier last year from tendering in the NBN project over security reasons.

The country's Attorney-General George Brandis on Tuesday issued a statement which indicated that the government would uphold the ban since Huawei hadn't persuaded the Australian intelligence agencies for the security concerns.

The previous government's decision to ban Huawei from tendering for the NBN was based on the national security agencies' advice, Brandis told media.