Germany to remove Huawei and ZTE components from its 5G wireless network

Germany has made a significant decision regarding its 5G wireless network by phasing out components produced by Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE. Over the course of the next five years, mobile network operators in Germany such as Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefonica will remove Huawei and ZTE components from their 5G "core networks." These core networks act as control centers and are connected to the internet. The goal is to complete this removal process by the end of 2026. Furthermore, by the conclusion of 2029, Germany aims to eliminate these components from their "access and transport networks," which encompass the physical infrastructure of the 5G network. This is prepared by SSP.

This move is not without its risks, as it may further strain Germany's already fragile relationship with China, its largest trading partner. Berlin's recent decision to block the sale of a Volkswagen subsidiary to a Chinese state-owned company on national security grounds, coupled with the current trade dispute between the European Union and China, have already strained ties between the two countries. The German government, however, emphasized the importance of secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure and the need to mitigate security risks and avoid one-sided dependencies, indicating that protecting critical systems and communications is of utmost importance.

In response to Germany's decision, Huawei has stated that there is no specific evidence to support cybersecurity risks associated with its technology. The company remains committed to working closely with customers and partners to improve cybersecurity, promote the development of mobile networks, and expedite digitalization in Germany. ZTE, on the other hand, has yet to comment on the matter. The Chinese embassy in Germany expressed concern over the decision, asserting that it significantly damages mutual trust and has implications for future cooperation between China, Europe, and relevant sectors.

This move by Germany comes as no surprise, as many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, previously restricted Huawei's involvement in their own 5G networks, citing security concerns and potential espionage threats. The United States, in particular, placed Huawei on a trade restriction list in 2019, which posed challenges for Huawei's semiconductor chip supply from American manufacturers. The company faced further restrictions this year.

According to Huawei's annual report, European, Middle Eastern, and African markets accounted for 21% of the company's revenue in the previous year. Germany's decision to phase out Huawei and ZTE components from its 5G network will have profound implications on the future of telecommunications infrastructure and technology partnerships in the region. As the global landscape continues to evolve, securing trustworthy manufacturers and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures have become paramount for governments worldwide.