Germany to Remove Chinese 5G Equipment by End-2029

German government struck a deal with telecom operators to exclude the use of equipment made by Huawei and ZTE in 5G networks, starting from the end of 2026. The government said it would conduct the phase-out in two parts.

The first stage will require operators to remove Chinese-made technology from 5G core mobile networks by the end of 2026. Huawei and ZTE-made parts such as antennas, transmission lines, and towers will then need to be stripped out from access and transport networks by the end of 2029.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the move as a crucial safeguard for digital security in Europe’s largest economy. “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. We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependencies. We must become more independent and more crisis-proof.”

The Interior Ministry held talks with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany, Telefonica Deutschland, and the federal government in recent weeks before agreeing. Public law contracts are currently being signed by the trio of operators. In response, Huawei said it has been a continuously innovative, secure, and reliable telecom equipment supplier in the German market for 20 years and there was no specific evidence or scenario that its technology has cybersecurity risks.

“We will continue to cooperate with customers and partners constructively and openly, promote the improvement and progress of cybersecurity, and promote the construction of mobile networks and digitalization in Germany,” Huawei said. Despite long-running US pressure, Germany has, until now, opted not to follow other countries, including the UK, in outlawing the use of 5G equipment from Chinese vendors.