UK spies think they can handle Huawei in 5G networks. The US doesn't agree

Hong Kong (CNN Business)The United Kingdom could undermine an American-led campaign to keep Chinese tech company Huawei out of super-fast 5G mobile networks around the world.

The National Cyber Security Centre, part of the UK intelligence service, has concluded that there are ways to limit the risks of using Huawei to build next-generation wireless networks, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications equipment, has been on the defensive in recent months as the US government has pushed for the company's technology to be banned, alleging that it could be used by China for spying. Australia and New Zealand have already blocked mobile carriers from using Huawei for 5G networks, and other governments, including the United Kingdom, are reviewing the situation.

Huawei has strenuously denied that its equipment poses any security risk and has criticized moves to shut it out of networks as "irresponsible decisions" made for political reasons. Industry executives and analysts say that the US pressure on Huawei risks delaying the rollout of 5G networks in key markets because the company is way ahead of its rivals in developing the technology.

The National Cyber Security Centre declined to comment Monday on the specifics of the Financial Times report but said in a statement that it has "a unique oversight and understanding of Huawei engineering and cyber security."

The intelligence agency is playing an important role in a broader UK government review examining the security of technology that operators plan to use in 5G networks in the country.

"The review is looking at a range of options and will conclude in the spring. No decisions have been taken and any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate," the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said in a statement Monday.

A spokesperson for Huawei said Monday that the company advocates an open dialogue on security.

"Cybersecurity is an issue which needs to be addressed across the whole industry," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain focused on working with our customers to help them deliver world leading technology."

A potential rift for the Five Eyes?

If the UK government decides that Huawei equipment can be used for 5G, it's likely to strain relations with Washington.

The United Kingdom is part of a close intelligence-sharing alliance with the United States known as Five Eyes, which also includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The approval of Huawei technology by one member of the group would undercut the American offensive against the company.