EU Member States on Restricting High-Risk Telecom Suppliers: Huawei and ZTE Under the Microscope

Eleven out of the 27 EU member states have implemented legal measures to impose restrictions on telecom suppliers deemed high-risk, such as Huawei and ZTE, for their 5G network infrastructure, according to a European Commission spokesperson speaking to Euronews. While one new country has recently joined this list, and a few others are in the process of doing so, the majority of EU nations have yet to take similar actions.

This development follows the European Commission’s adoption of the 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox in 2020, which was designed to protect 5G networks from cyber threats and risks. EU member states agreed to apply restrictions on suppliers considered high-risk—primarily targeting Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE—including the possibility of necessary exclusions following widespread security concerns.

Though not all EU countries have enacted outright bans, 21 have introduced rules to limit high-risk providers, and three more have pending legislation. These rules empower national authorities to restrict or prevent the involvement of suppliers considered high-risk in 5G networks when deemed necessary. However, the European Commission has indicated that these efforts may not be sufficient, and further action could be expected if countries do not fully comply.

Global skepticism towards Huawei and ZTE intensified in 2018 when governments in Japan, the U.S., and the EU excluded these manufacturers from public tenders and telecom network projects due to allegations of spying and fears of their connections to the Chinese state. Sweden was among the first EU countries to ban Huawei equipment from its 5G networks, also ordering the removal of previously installed equipment by January 1, 2025. Despite Huawei’s appeal, a Swedish court upheld the ban, maintaining the decision of the Swedish Post and Telecommunications Authority (PTS).

Huawei has consistently denied the allegations, asserting its independence. The company has stated, “The Chinese government does not interfere with our business or the security of our products. And if any attempt were made to force our hand—from any country or organization—we would reject it outright.”

Despite the European Commission’s concerns, several EU countries continue to work with Huawei. For example, Italy has not implemented a blanket ban on Chinese manufacturers but instead evaluates each case individually. In 2020, telecom operator Fastweb was prevented from signing a deal with Huawei for its 5G network. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited China, where she signed cooperation agreements in areas such as food safety and energy, including a strategic partnership on electric vehicles, despite the growing trade tensions between China and the EU.

Germany, after a “careful examination” of risks, announced last month that Huawei and ZTE components must be removed from 5G core networks by the end of 2026. The decision agreed upon with major telecom operators, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefónica, is part of Germany’s broader National Security Strategy aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, including public 5G mobile networks, from hybrid and cyber threats.

On the other hand, Slovenia has taken a different approach. In 2022, the opposition parties rejected a government bill that would have excluded high-risk manufacturers like Huawei from the market. Despite this, Slovenia signed a 5G security declaration with the U.S. in 2020, agreeing to promote a robust 5G ecosystem and evaluate suppliers rigorously. The country also committed to securing its communications, including 5G, under the London Declaration signed with NATO members in 2019.

Overall, the varied responses across EU member states reflect differing levels of concern and strategies regarding the security of their 5G networks, with some nations taking stringent measures while others remain more cautious in their approach.

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