European Union Considers Legal Steps to Remove Huawei and ZTE from 5G Networks

The European Commission is considering legal steps to remove Chinese telecom giants, Huawei and ZTE, from the 5G networks of EU member states. Bloomberg reports that the commission’s recommendation in 2020 to avoid using high-risk suppliers in mobile networks might be turned into a mandatory requirement.

Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen highlights security risks posed by Chinese equipment manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE, particularly in light of tensions between China and the EU. She warns that allowing Beijing-controlled companies to manage critical infrastructure could jeopardize national security. The commission is also exploring measures to prevent other countries from relying on Chinese suppliers.

One proposed measure includes prohibiting the use of funds like Global Gateway for projects incorporating Huawei equipment. Despite this, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously criticized the EU for unfairly labeling these companies as high-risk without sufficient legal and factual basis.

The inconsistent approach to dealing with Chinese suppliers across EU member states is causing concern. For instance, while Germany and Finland are considering stricter measures against Chinese vendors, Britain and Sweden banned them years ago. In contrast, Spain and Greece have allowed the inclusion of Chinese equipment in their networks. This fragmented strategy within the bloc could result in significant security risks.

Western alternatives like Nokia from Finland and Ericsson from Sweden are being highlighted as viable solutions. Nevertheless, one major reason for countries preferring China is cost competitiveness.