Germany EU Commission wants to ban Huawei and ZTE from networks
Germany and other EU countries are to completely dispense with the network technology of Chinese manufacturers Huawei and ZTE in mobile communications. The European Commission wants to create a legal basis that would allow it to ban the use of technology from particularly risky foreign companies in the last instance, as announced by the Brussels authority. There are fears of sabotage and espionage.
20.01.2026, 15:35
20.01.2026, 15:36
SDA
Strong recommendations to EU countries not to use technology from Huawei and ZTE in their mobile networks for security reasons could thus become mandatory. In the past, the European Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with the cooperation of member states on this issue. In its view, too few countries have followed the recommendation to exclude Huawei and ZTE from the operation of 5G mobile networks.
Huawei and ZTE widely used in German mobile networks
In Germany and other European countries, components from the two manufacturers have been fundamental components of mobile networks for years. However, the use of foreign technology has come under increasing criticism in recent years due to suspected security risks and potential influence from China.
Specifically, the mechanism now proposed by the EU Commission would allow the Brussels network watchdogs, together with the member states, to initiate a risk assessment for certain manufacturers. If a provider is deemed too risky, the EU Commission could, in a final step, place it on a corresponding list. Technology from manufacturers on this list would then no longer be allowed to be installed in the critical infrastructure of EU countries, and existing components would have to be replaced under the proposal. The EU Commission had already identified Huawei and ZTE as high-risk providers in past audits due to fears of Chinese influence.
