After a lengthy series of discussions, German mobile network operators have finally agreed to remove equipment made by Huawei and ZTE from their 5G networks, according to the New York Times. Deutsche Telekom (OTCQX: DTEGY), Vodafone Germany (NASDAQ: VOD) and Telefónica (NYSE: TEF) set deadlines of 2026 for all core components and 2029 for access and transmission networks.
“The [Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs] has now been able to conclude the negotiations [with the MNOs] on the continued use of critical components in the 5G mobile networks with an agreement,” the German government said in a press release. “Public law contracts with all three operators are currently being signed… which oblige mobile operators to stop using critical components from Huawei and ZTE in their 5G core networks.”
Germany is the latest country that has moved to uproot equipment from Huawei and ZTE, because of the companies’ close relationship with the Chinese government and cybersecurity fears. The U.S. has already banned the Chinese manufacturers, along with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Inside Towers reported. Other countries considering a ban include France, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium.
The MNO negotiations came after the German government “examined the risks posed by critical components from Huawei and ZTE in German 5G mobile networks very carefully,” according to Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser.
“There is no specific evidence or scenario that Huawei’s technology has cybersecurity risks,” a spokeswoman for Huawei said in a statement, adding that the company would continue to “promote the construction of mobile networks and digitalization in Germany.”
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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