Ministry urges US to ensure level playing field for firms

A report that US lawmakers urged AT&T Inc to cut commercial ties with Chinese telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and to reject plans by operator China Mobile to enter the US market, has sparked serious concerns in both countries.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that some lawmakers advised US companies that if they have ties with Huawei or China Mobile, it could hamper their ability to do business with the US government.

Senators and representatives have demanded that AT&T, the world's largest telecom firm, cuts its collaboration with Huawei over standards for the high-speed fifth-generation network, as well as the use of Huawei handsets by AT&T's discount subsidiary Cricket, Reuters quoted two unnamed Congressional aides as saying.