EU explores Huawei ban in mobile networks of member countries

The European Commission is exploring ways to force European Union member states to phase out Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp from their telecommunications networks, according to people familiar with the matter.

- 

Commission vice-president Henna Virkkunen wants to convert the European Commission’s 2020 recommendation to stop using high-risk vendors in mobile networks into a legal requirement, according to the people who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private.

While infrastructure decisions rest with national governments, Ms Virkkunen’s proposal would compel EU countries to align with the commission’s security guidance. If the recommendations become legally binding, member countries that do not follow the rules could face a so-called infringement procedure and financial penalties.

The EU is increasingly focused on the risks posed by Chinese telecoms equipment makers as trade and political ties with its second-largest trading partner fray. The concern is that handing over control of critical national infrastructure to companies with such close ties to Beijing could compromise national security interests.

Ms Virkkunen is examining ways to limit the use of Chinese equipment suppliers in fixed-line networks as countries push for the rapid deployment of state-of-the-art fibre cables to expand high-speed internet access.