China Scores Aussie Govt for Blocking Huawei’s NBN Bid
China assailed Australia's decision this week of banning a major Chinese firm from participating into the $36 billion roll out of the national broadband network (NBN), labelling the move as discriminatory and unfair trade practices. REUTERS

In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, six lawmakers, including five Republicans and a Democrat, stated the government should investigate whether Huawei - the world's second largest telecommunications equipment maker - had violated the law by providing sensitive technology to the Iranian government.

Huawei, in its defense, said the call was based on inaccurate media reports.

Unfortunately, a few Members of Congress continue to cite inaccurate media reports that include groundless allegations, Huawei said in an e-mailed statement.

The company had earlier stated it would not pursue new lines of businesses in Iran; the decision was greeted as a positive one by the lawmakers, who added however that the company's earlier actions could have violated the law.

The Wall Street Journal, in a report from a few months ago, said certain contracts between Huawei and the two largest mobile carriers in Iran could allow police to track locations of mobile phone users.

In this role, Huawei appears to facilitate the Iranian government's restriction of the speech of the Iranian people and the free flow of unbiased information in Iran, the letter from the lawmakers stated.

Trade sanctions on Iran, imposed on the basis of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act, also prohibits government contracts with companies that export sensitive telecommunications technology to the country.

Huawei has challenged these reports.

One of the fundamental principles governing Huawei's global operations is to be in strict compliance with all relevant international and local laws and regulations, including applicable U.S. laws and regulations, the company stated in the email.

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