"Huawei are are a very competent and innovative provider but we have partnered with Ericsson and Nokia for our networks for many many years and we're confident that their capability is just proficient as Huawei.

Does the government's lack of clarity on the Chinese firm complicate matters?

"It does. I think customers are confused. We do want a definitive answer from the UK government about whether Huawei and the organisation is something that is permissible in the UK, not just for networks, but for devices as well.

"The sooner we get that clarity from the UK government the better we'll all be"