Germany Excludes Huawei from 5G Networks by 2029

Germany has finalized a deal with telecom providers to exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network by 2029. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced the agreement, which aims to protect Germany's digital infrastructure from potential security risks posed by China. The phase-out will occur in two stages starting in 2026.

Germany has reached an agreement with telecom providers to exclude Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE, from its 5G network products by 2029, according to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Thursday.

"We have now reached a clear and strict agreement with the telecoms companies," Faeser stated to reporters in Berlin. She praised the deal as a crucial measure to safeguard digital security in Europe's largest economy. This agreement followed discussions between the interior ministry and major telecom companies, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica Deutschland, aiming to protect Germany's critical infrastructure from potential security risks posed by China.

Faeser mentioned that Berlin had informed Beijing about the agreement and did not anticipate any retaliatory actions over the planned restrictions on Chinese technology. However, China's embassy in Germany warned that restricting or excluding Huawei would have consequences, calling Berlin's plan a "ruthless attempt" to stifle competition and advance its own technology.

"Alleged risks to network security only serve as a pretext. The fact is: no country has yet provided conclusive evidence to prove Huawei equipment poses a security risk," the embassy responded to requests for comments regarding the plans. Faeser did not disclose further details on the agreement.

As reported by Reuters on Wednesday, the planned phase-out will begin with a first stage in 2026, requiring operators to remove Chinese-made technology from the country's core 5G data centers. By 2029, the exclusion will extend to components such as antennas, transmission lines, and towers.

Germany has often lagged in implementing the European Union's security measures for 5G networks. Telecom operators have resisted Berlin's costly efforts to phase out Huawei, while Huawei has argued against the "politicisation" of cybersecurity in the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)