Germany will start excluding key components made by Chinese telecoms equipment makers Huawei and ZTE from its 5G core network from 2026, a top German security official said on Thursday.
Interior Minister Nancy Faser said Germany aims to remove the components by the end of 2026. After that, Huawei and ZTE parts will be banned.
Additionally, these manufacturers’ “critical management systems” in 5G access and transport networks are required to be replaced by the end of 2029.
The interior ministry said the decision follows recent discussions with Germany’s 5G network operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefonica. Contracts with the three companies are due to be signed, the ministry said.
Today’s risks underscore the importance of a resilient communications infrastructure, especially “given the dangers of sabotage and espionage,” Faeser said.
This measure will give network operators time to replace critical components.
“We are protecting Germany’s central nervous system as a business location and we are protecting the communications of its citizens, companies and the state,” Faser said.
China and Germany, the world’s second and third largest economies, have historically maintained strong economic ties.
However, Germany has sought to reduce its economic dependence on China, especially since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis highlighted Germany’s vulnerability and dependence on Russia.
In recent years, the United States has effectively urged European allies such as Britain and Sweden to ban or restrict the use of Huawei equipment in their telecommunications networks, citing concerns that the Chinese government could use it for cyberespionage or to disrupt critical communications systems, but Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations.
NATO allies including Germany on Wednesday described China as a “decisive supporter” of Russia’s war and expressed concern about its nuclear weapons and space capabilities. China responded by accusing NATO of prioritizing its own security interests at the expense of others and warning it not to sow instability in Asia.
