According to a government source, Germany is thinking about prohibiting specific components from Huawei and ZTE from being used in its telecom networks. This might be a significant step to address security concerns.
A brief about Germany might ban China’s Huawei and ZTE from using some 5G networks
A representative for the interior ministry said that the German government was conducting an overall examination of telecoms technology providers but clarified that this was not focused on any particular manufacturers.
Even as it works to pass legislation giving it the power to crack down on Huawei, the German government, which is in the midst of a broader reevaluation of its relationship with its key trading partner China, has been cautious about specifically singling out the company.
According to a memorandum from the interior ministry on the review that Reuters was able to access, if a particular supplier was found to be directly or indirectly controlled by the government of another state, it might be prohibited from supplying crucial parts.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner told Welt TV, “We cannot rely on parts from individual vendors.
The spokeswoman for the interior ministry stated that the assessment might result in Germany requesting operators to replace parts that are already incorporated into networks and said that the current rules did not provide compensation for them.
According to Noah Barkin, managing editor of Rhodium Group’s China practise and expert on German-Chinese relations, this is an indication that the German government may now be taking China-related dangers to national security seriously.
“Yet, the German 5G network is heavily dependent on Chinese vendors as a result of years of indecision. It will take a long time to resolve this, “Barkin threw in.
The inclusion of Huawei and ZTE in the future’s omnipresent mobile networks, according to their detractors, might enable Chinese spies and even saboteurs access to crucial infrastructure because of their strong ties to Beijing’s security forces.
These allegations are refuted by Huawei, ZTE, and the Chinese government, who assert that they are driven by a protectionist desire to aid non-Chinese competitors.
With its 20 years of supplying technology to Germany and the rest of the world, Huawei has a “very good security record,” according to a spokeswoman. Huawei also stated that it does not comment on rumours. No evidence has been shown, according to a ZTE spokeswoman, suggesting that its products are insecure, but the company welcomes outside review.
Two of Germany’s largest telecom companies, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Germany, said that they completely conformed with current laws when asked about the prospective ban but declined to comment on political rumours.
Germany enacted a cybersecurity law in 2021 that places strict requirements on companies that provide telecommunications equipment for next-generation networks, but it did not outright ban Huawei and ZTE as some other nations have.
Swedish telecom regulator PTS allowed telecom operators participating in 5G auctions until January 1, 2025 to remove equipment from China from their infrastructure and core functions after banning Chinese businesses from deploying 5G in 2020.
In contrast, Britain now wants telecom companies to abandon Huawei-related hardware and services by December 31, 2023, as opposed to the initial deadline of January 28, 2023.
By the end of 2027, all Huawei hardware must be removed from Britain’s 5G networks.
