Germany to Remove Huawei, ZTE Components from 5G Network Amid Security Concerns

Germany has announced plans to phase out components from Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE from its 5G wireless network over the next five years, a decision likely to further strain its relations with China. The move is part of a broader effort to address national security concerns and reduce dependencies on Chinese technology.

Major mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefonica, have agreed to eliminate these components from their 5G core networks—critical control centers connected to the internet—by the end of 2026. By the end of 2029, these components must also be removed from access and transport networks, which encompass the physical infrastructure such as transmission lines and towers.

“In this way, we are protecting the central nervous systems of Germany as a business location—and we are protecting the communication of citizens, companies, and the state,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in a statement. “We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependencies.”

The German government emphasized the need for “secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure,” highlighting the risks of sabotage and espionage. “To avoid critical vulnerabilities and dependencies, trustworthy manufacturers must be relied upon,” the statement added.

Huawei responded to the announcement, stating, “There is no specific evidence or scenario that our technology has cybersecurity risks. We will continue to cooperate with customers and partners in a constructive and open manner, promote the improvement and progress of cybersecurity, and support the construction of mobile networks and digitalization in Germany.”

The decision may exacerbate tensions between Germany and China, its largest trading partner. Recently, Germany blocked the sale of a Volkswagen subsidiary to a Chinese state-owned company on national security grounds, prompting criticism from Beijing. China is also engaged in a trade dispute with the European Union, which recently increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that politicizing economic, trade, and technological issues would disrupt normal technological exchanges.

Germany’s move aligns it with other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, which have effectively banned Huawei from their 5G networks due to concerns about potential espionage by Beijing. The US has also imposed trade restrictions on Huawei, limiting its access to semiconductor chips from American suppliers.

According to Huawei’s annual report, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa accounted for 21% of its revenue last year.