Germany Plans to Remove Chinese Components from 5G Network by 2029

The German government has reached an agreement with telecom providers to phase out components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network by 2029.

Announced this week, this decision aims to protect Germany’s critical digital infrastructure from potential security risks associated with Chinese technology.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser praised the deal as a “clear and strict agreement” to safeguard “the central nervous system of Germany as a business location.” She emphasized the need to “reduce security risks and avoid one-sided dependencies.”

The ban will be implemented in two stages. By 2026, telecom companies must remove Chinese equipment from the core 5G network, including data centers. By 2029, all Chinese components must be removed from the broader network, including radio antennas.

This compromise follows a long-running dispute within the German government, balancing security concerns against economic considerations. Some officials pushed for a faster timetable, with Konstantin von Notz, chair of the parliamentary control committee, criticizing the five-year grace period as “an extremely long time” given recent security developments.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure from allies, particularly the United States, which has long warned about the risks of involving Chinese companies in critical infrastructure. However, telecom providers have resisted swift action, citing high costs and potential service disruptions.

Huawei defended its position, stating, “There is still no comprehensible evidence or plausible scenarios that Huawei’s technology would pose any kind of security risk.” The company emphasized its long record as a “reliable supplier” in Germany.

The Chinese embassy in Germany warned that excluding Huawei would have consequences, calling it a “ruthless attempt” to suppress competition.