Financial Times report: EU considering a mandatory ban on using high-risk vendors to build 5G, including Huwaei
The EU is considering a mandatory ban on high-risk companies, including Huawei, in member states’ 5G networks due to security concerns, as reported by the Financial Times. Only a third of EU countries have implemented Huawei bans in critical areas, prompting discussions on the potential introduction of a mandatory ban to address the security risks posed by these companies.
According to the Financial Times report, the European Union is considering a mandatory ban on member states from using companies that could pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.
In 2020, the EU resisted pressure from the US on a complete ban on Chinese telecommunications companies. Instead, the EU allowed member-states to restrict or exclude high-risk 5G vendors like Huawei from core parts of their telecom networks. The EU’s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, noted that only a third of EU countries have implemented Huawei bans in critical areas.
According to the Financial Times report, the EU’s action in 2020 ‘fell short’ and thus could have the EU introducing a mandatory ban on companies that pose a high risk in their network. Reuters also reported in March that Germany considers banning certain components from Chinese telecommunications companies, including Huawei and ZTE.
