Germany to Ban Huawei and ZTE Components from 5G Networks Starting in 2026

Germany’s top security authority has announced that vital components from Chinese companies ZTE and Huawei would be banned in key areas of the country’s 5G networks in two phases beginning in 2026.

Germany’s top security official stated on Thursday that the country will restrict the use of vital components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in key portions of its 5G networks in two phases beginning in 2026.

Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has long considered using Chinese-made components in its next-generation mobile networks.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has announced that crucial components from Huawei and ZTE will be prohibited from 5G core networks by the end of 2026. In addition, these manufacturers’ “critical management systems” in 5G access and transport networks must be updated by the end of 2029.

This decision comes after recent talks with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica, the operators of Germany’s 5G networks. The Interior Ministry has announced that agreements will be inked with all three companies.

“With this, we are protecting the central nervous systems of Germany as a business location, and we are protecting the communication of citizens, companies and the state,” according to the announcement. “We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependencies.”

In recent years, the US has successfully urged European allies, including Britain and Sweden, to ban or restrict Huawei equipment in their phone networks. The US cited concerns that Beijing could use it for cyber espionage or to sabotage critical communications infrastructure—allegations that Huawei has repeatedly denied. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have all implemented comparable policies.

When asked about Thursday’s expected announcement at a daily briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian claimed that Huawei and other Chinese enterprises have been building high-quality infrastructure in Europe and creating thousands of jobs. He claimed that “there is no evidence that they endanger the national security of European countries.”

“Politicising economic, trade, and sci-tech issues will only undermine normal technical exchanges and cooperation and is not in the interest of any party,” he further said.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Western countries and China have grown more suspicious of each other.

Source: AP News