- Europe’s removal of Huawei/ZTE networks has not been a complete success
- Some countries have even opposed bans on Chinese equipment
- Western companies struggle to compete on prices
The European Commission is looking to move forward with its attempt to remove Huawei and ZTE telecommunications networks from its member states.
Vice President Henna Virkkunen has put forward a proposal to make the recommendations of the 2020 5G cyber security toolbox legally binding and could extend beyond just mobile networks to also include fixed broadband and fiber networks in EU member states.
The development comes despite many countries already adopting such changes – Sweden banned Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks in 2020, the UK has followed suit, and Germany is planning a removal from its core 5G networks by 2026.
Could the EU ban Huawei/ZTE from 5G networks and beyond?
The United Kingdom has framed the removal of Huawei’s technology as a necessity in the supply chain: “the security of the company’s products … can no longer be managed due to the impact of US sanctions on its supply chain.”
In October 2022, an immediate ban on new Huawei 5G installations was enforced, with removal of existing equipment mandated by 2027.
“We need to have confidence in the security of our phone and internet networks, which underpin so much of our economy and everyday life,” commented former digital secretary Michelle Donelan.
In addition to existing bans, Italy is also reviewing deals with Chinese firms individually, while Spain and Italy still allow the company to operate within its networks. Slovenia took this a step further by rejecting a bill that would have excluded high-risk suppliers.
Traditional Western rivals such as Nokia and Ericsson have struggled to compete on price against Chinese companies because of the way they get partial funding from government subsidies.
This government backing has some policymakers worried about potential espionage threats and other risks associated with ongoing geopolitical and technological battles.
The EU 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox was positioned as a framework for strategic and technical measures to strengthen network security in 2020, with recommendations including restrictions, installation bans and supplier diversification, but the discussion appears to have reopened on this topic after a clear divide in national approaches rather than united European cooperation.
Via Bloomberg
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