The European Commission is stepping up efforts to strengthen the security of Europe’s telecommunications networks, urging member states to phase out equipment from vendors such as Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE from 5G and next-generation networks, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources.
In 2020, the EC advised member states to stop using technology from “high-risk” vendors such as Huawei and ZTE, and vice-chairman Hena Virkunen is currently pushing for the recommendation to be translated into regulation, Bloomberg reported.
Virkkunen’s proposal could encourage EU countries to more closely follow the European Commission’s security guidelines. If the recommendations become legally binding, member states that ignore the rules could be subject to infringement proceedings and even financial penalties, the report said. Virkunen is considering limiting the involvement of Chinese vendors in fiber network projects as broadband rollouts accelerate.
Huawei and ZTE did not respond to requests for comment.
The move comes amid a broader effort to limit China’s influence in key infrastructure as relations between the EU and the world’s second-largest economy deteriorate. Last year, Germany’s top security official announced that it would ban the use of key components from Chinese companies ZTE and Huawei starting in 2026. Furthermore, Finland is reportedly planning to expand its ban on the use of Huawei components in 5G networks.
In recent years, the United States has persuaded European allies such as Britain and Sweden to restrict or ban Huawei’s products over concerns that the Chinese government could use them for cyberespionage or disrupt critical communications.
