German Government Bans Huawei and ZTE Components in 5G Infrastructure

The German government announced on Thursday that it has reached an agreement with major telecom companies to phase out the use of critical components from Huawei and ZTE in their 5G mobile infrastructure over the next five years. This move marks the latest effort by a European country to exclude Chinese companies from crucial telecommunications networks.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the importance of safeguarding the country’s economy and communication networks, stating, “We are protecting the central nervous system of the German economy — and we are protecting the communication of citizens, companies, and the state.”

The agreement with telecom giants Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica will occur in two stages. Firstly, Chinese-made critical components will be removed from core parts of Germany’s 5G networks by the end of 2026. Subsequently, these components will also be phased out from antennas, transmission lines, and towers by the end of 2029.

Huawei and ZTE have not yet commented on this decision.

Germany, accounting for approximately a quarter of mobile customers in the European Union, has been cautious about taking such measures against Chinese suppliers due to its strong economic ties with China. The country has previously opted for certifying components based on individual security evaluations.

Several other European nations, including Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, have already implemented bans on Huawei and ZTE components in their infrastructure. The German government’s decision follows extensive security assessments and negotiations with telecom providers, who had raised concerns about the complexity and cost of transitioning away from Chinese components.

The discussion on banning Huawei and ZTE from German mobile infrastructure dates back to the previous administration led by Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Faeser highlighted the current threat landscape, emphasizing the need for a secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure in light of potential risks such as sabotage and espionage.