London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Germany set to allow Huawei into 5G networks, defying pressure from the US

Germany set to allow Huawei into 5G networks, defying pressure from the US

The German government confirmed it will not ban the Chinese telecoms giant from its national 5G networks.

Germany will not ban Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its national 5G networks, snubbing calls from the U.S. to exclude the company over national security concerns.

Germany will not ban Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from helping to build its national 5G networks, snubbing calls from the U.S. to bar the company over national security concerns.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry confirmed in a phone call Wednesday that the decision had been made on Tuesday.

The move is a blow to the U.S., which has been pressuring its allies to exclude Huawei from 5G infrastructure, claiming its presence in the networks would enable Chinese espionage. Countries including Australia and New Zealand have already banned the company from their domestic networks.

Under Chinese law, organizations can be forced to hand over data to the state if requested to do so, but Huawei has repeatedly denied claims that its presence in 5G networks would act as a back door for China.

In an emailed statement on Wednesday, a Huawei spokesperson told CNBC a “fact and standards-based approach” was the best way to address global cybersecurity challenges.

“We welcome the move the German government has taken to create a level playing field for 5G network vendors,” they said. “Politicizing cyber security will only hinder technology development and social progress while doing nothing to address the security challenges all countries face. Huawei will continue to work openly with regulators, customers, and industry organizations to ensure that mobile networks are secure.”

Huawei has already worked on 5G trials with Deutsche Telekom and has previously supplied existing equipment to all of Germany’s telecoms operators.

Germany’s decision to allow Huawei access to its network could also have repercussions for the rest of Europe. Other EU member states, including France and the U.K., are yet to make a firm decision on employing Huawei.

“The security of the U.K.’s telecoms networks is of paramount importance and a decision on high risk vendors will be made in due course,” a spokesperson for the U.K. government said in an email on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, the former head of MI6 — Britain’s secret intelligence agency — said Beijing had never sought to exploit the presence of Huawei’s equipment in the U.K.’s telecoms networks.

However, Alex Younger, the service’s current chief, acknowledged in December that Chinese frameworks varied from the U.K.’s both legally and ethically.

In August, the U.K.’s Digital Minister Nicky Morgan told the BBC she was hopeful Britain would make a decision on Huawei “by the Autumn.”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron told CNBC in May that it was not France’s intention to block Huawei or any other company, although he said the country had restrictions in place to preserve its national security.

The U.S. has ramped up pressure on Huawei in recent months, blacklisting the firm from doing business with American firms. However, the government is reportedly set to issue licenses for some goods to be sold to the telecoms giant.


5G success

Despite increasing restrictions from the U.S., Huawei is enjoying rapid growth in its 5G business.

In a press release on Wednesday, the tech giant announced it had signed more than 60 commercial 5G contracts “with leading global carriers” to date.

It also shipped more than 400,000 5G antenna units to global markets, and said “more than 700 cities, 228 Fortune Global 500 companies, and 58 Fortune Global 100 companies had selected Huawei as their partner for digital transformation.”

Revenue for the first three quarters of 2019 was 610.8 billion yuan ($86 billion), up 24% year-on-year.

The company has already released its first 5G phone, the Huawei Mate 20 X, which went on sale in China in August for 6,199 yuan ($873).

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×