(Reuters) – Germany last week became the latest European country to propose restrictions or bans on the use of equipment made by China’s Huawei and ZTE, citing security concerns.
The European Union’s industry chief Thierry Breton in June urged more EU countries to join the efforts to curb or block Huawei and ZTE equipment from the bloc’s 5G telecoms networks.
Here are the countries that have introduced curbs so far:
BRITAIN
Britain in 2020 decided to ban Huawei and other vendors it deemed a high security risk from 5G networks. Last year, it extended the deadline to remove Huawei’s equipment until the end of 2023.
ESTONIA
Estonia’s parliament approved new legislation in 2021 that effectively banned telecom operators from choosing Chinese vendors for telecom equipment.
DENMARK
Danish lawmakers in 2021 passed legislation to allow the screening of foreign investments to ensure they do not pose a threat to national security. The new legislation was developed in part following security concerns over a bid by Huawei to build Denmark’s 5G network.
FRANCE
French authorities in 2020 told telecoms operators planning to buy Huawei 5G equipment that they would not be able to renew licences for the gear once they expire, effectively phasing Huawei out of mobile networks.
GERMANY
Germany’s interior ministry on Sept. 20 proposed forcing telecoms operators to remove all critical components made by Huawei and ZTE in their 5G core networks by 2026.
ITALY
While Italy has not outright banned Huawei equipment, it prevented telecoms group Fastweb in 2020 from signing a deal for Huawei to supply equipment for its 5G network.
LATVIA
Latvia and the U.S. signed an agreement in 2020 on 5G security aimed at limiting the operations of Chinese companies.
LITHUANIA
Lithuania’s parliament in 2021 decreed that only equipment approved by the government on national security grounds could be used for the country’s next-generation 5G network.
PORTUGAL
Portugal’s telecoms watchdog said on Sept. 18 it was working with operators to implement a high-level resolution which effectively bars Huawei’s equipment from the country’s 5G mobile networks.
ROMANIA
Romania’s government approved in 2021 a U.S.-backed bill that effectively barred China and Huawei from taking part in the development of the country’s 5G network.
SWEDEN
Sweden in 2020 banned telecoms equipment from Huawei and ZTE in its 5G network. An appeals court in June upheld the ban.
(Compiled by Tristan Veyet, Antonis Pothitos, Laura Lenkiewicz; Editing by Milla Nissi and Jan Harvey)
