Strand Consult reveals demons in Huawei details
Mobile Europe sources say the EU is set to harden its stance on the security threat posed by Chinese equipment at the heart of Europe’s critical communications infrastructure. Insiders close to EU policymakers say regulators are struggling to visualize the depth and scale of Europe’s exposures, both in terms of detail and broader context. This is due to the lack of “visibility”. Everything changed on May 31, when EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager (pictured) hinted that the EU might have become more informed and more focused. One source said this was a revelation for some policymakers, and it was Strand Consult’s latest bulletin that provided clarity for the first time.
huawei Up
EU policymakers met in Lisbon last week to discuss Portugal’s decision to completely ban Chinese company Huawei’s technology from its 5G networks, sparking an immediate reaction, a German report said. Wirtz Schachwoche. Citing Chinese government sources, the news site reported that China was “ready to take political action against Portugal and exercise its influence over Portugal.” [largest] Companies such as EPD, REN, Mota-Engil, and BCP. ” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has reportedly indicated that she is firming up her resolve on the issue. “I commend the Portuguese Cybersecurity Commission for its thoughtful implementation of the EU’s 5G security toolbox,” Vestager said, adding, “Threats have no place and Europe has legitimate needs to protect its critical infrastructure. This does not preclude us from taking appropriate measures.”
condemnation
Portugal’s stance risks inviting criticism from China. Beijing was reportedly surprised by Portugal’s decision on Huawei’s mobile network components, interpreting it as “tougher” than other European countries, according to Portuguese news outlets. Jornal de Negocio. China is Portugal’s fourth largest foreign investor, supporting the country with 11.22 billion euros in 2022. State-owned China Three Gorges holds a 20% stake in Energías de Portugal (EDP), Portugal’s largest energy provider. China National Power Grid Corporation controls 25% of energy network operator REN. Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has owned 30% of Portugal’s largest bank BCP since 2014 and controls the largest insurance company Fidelidade, with an 85% stake, and, through Fidelidade, the largest hospital operator Luz Saude are doing. China Communications Construction holds a 32.4% stake in construction company Mota Engil.
blind trust
In the days leading up to the decision, Strand Consult (SC) presented the Portuguese with the most detailed report to date on the infiltration of Chinese troops into Europe’s communications infrastructure.report European 5G RAN Market: Share of Chinese and Non-Chinese Vendors in 31 European Countries This is a follow-up to the previous report. Understanding the European 4G RAN Market: Share of Chinese and Non-Chinese Vendors in 102 Mobile Networks in 2020. The report criticized that much of the information EU policymakers have relied on was provided by equipment vendors, which are said to be under surveillance. “The big picture that government policymakers need to make decisions is so vague that it’s virtually useless,” said SC founder and analyst John Strand. [has been] There is little transparency about the amount, type, location, and share of 4G and 5G Chinese equipment in European networks. ”
visibility
The report reveals that despite several rip-and-replace plans, 5G RAN still accounts for the majority of Chinese-made equipment in eight out of 31 EU countries. In some countries, 100% of 5G RAN is provided by Chinese vendors. According to the report, only 11 of Europe’s 31 countries can provide users with access to “clean networks outside China”, with Germany at the top of Europe, Italy, Poland, Portugal, It is said that along with Austria and Spain, it is still purchasing a large amount of networks. 5G equipment from a Chinese vendor. Strand said factions within Germany’s coalition government are sympathetic to the Chinese regime and have resisted sanctions against Chinese companies, saying they would affect German car exports.
german cancellation
In 2020, 57% of Germany’s 4G RAN came from Chinese vendors. In 2022, 59% of Germany’s 5G RAN will come from Chinese vendors. As Germany accounts for 25% of Europe’s mobile customers, the German government’s lax approach to communications infrastructure poses risks to Germany and all those who interconnect to German networks, the report says. . 60% of the 5G antennas installed in Germany are made by Huawei, and in some regions all equipment is made by Huawei.
network nord stream
“This data suggests that Germany is not taking China’s security threat seriously. China has another rogue state, the Nord, which has an oil supply pipeline from Russia that ended in disaster. There are repercussions for Stream 2.” Germany appears to be setting up a similar scenario in the communications field with Huawei and ZTE,” the report said. Mr Strand told EU policymakers in Lisbon that EU sanctions are threatened by the fact that if China invades Taiwan, China has the option of ending it by simply clicking a kill switch and surprising Europe. said it would be ruined. “The message is now sinking in,” Strand said.
