EU considers proposals to exclude Chinese firms, such as Huawei, from 5G networks

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BRUSSELS/WARSAW, Jan. 31, 2019 – 

The European Union is considering proposals that would effectively amount to a de-facto ban on Huawei Technologies Co equipment for next-generation mobile networks, four senior EU officials said, adding to mounting international pressure on the world's largest maker of telecom gear.

While efforts by the EU's executive are still at the very early stages, and could prove complicated to implement, the move marks a shift in the EU's stance amid growing security concerns in the West about China.

A move to exclude Chinese firms such as Huawei would likely be welcomed by the United States, which has been trying to prevent American companies from buying Huawei infrastructure equipment and has been pressing allies to do the same.

US security experts are concerned the gear could be used by China's government for espionage - a concern Huawei calls unfounded.

According to the four senior EU officials, one option under consideration by the European Commission is to amend a 2016 cyber-security law, which requires businesses involved in critical infrastructure to take appropriate security measures.

By amending the definition of critical infrastructure to also include so-called fifth generation mobile networks, the law would effectively prevent EU businesses from using such equipment provided by any country or company suspected of using its equipment for spying or sabotage, the officials said.

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