EU considers phasing out Huawei and ZTE from member states’ telecom networks
The European Commission is weighing new measures that could require all European Union member states to remove Chinese telecom giants Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp from their mobile networks, according to reports from Bloomberg News. The move reflects growing concerns across Europe about the security risks posed by Chinese-made equipment used in critical communications infrastructure.
Sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that officials in Brussels are exploring legal mechanisms that would make it mandatory for EU countries to phase out the companies’ involvement in 5G and future network systems. Although several member states have already restricted Huawei and ZTE voluntarily, others have been slower to act, prompting the Commission to consider stronger, union-wide enforcement.
If approved, the proposal would mark one of the EU’s most significant steps yet to align its digital security policies with those of the United States and several Indo-Pacific allies, which have already banned Chinese suppliers from their telecommunications networks. The European Commission has been increasingly vocal about the need to safeguard critical infrastructure from potential espionage or cyber vulnerabilities linked to foreign state influence.
An EU spokesperson declined to comment directly on the ongoing discussions but reiterated the bloc’s position that member states must reduce their dependency on high-risk vendors. “The security of Europe’s digital infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to ensuring that our 5G networks are robust, resilient, and secure from external interference.”
Huawei and ZTE have repeatedly denied allegations that their equipment poses security threats, insisting that they operate independently from the Chinese government. In a statement earlier this year, Huawei said it remains “deeply committed to Europe” and continues to comply with all local laws and regulations. The company also warned that further restrictions could harm European consumers by driving up costs and slowing down technological innovation.
The debate over Huawei’s role in Europe has been ongoing for several years, with EU officials issuing a “5G toolbox” in 2020 to help countries identify and mitigate security risks in their telecommunications networks. However, compliance across the bloc has been uneven. Some countries, including Sweden and Denmark, have already banned Huawei equipment, while others such as Hungary and Spain have continued to use it under stricter oversight.
Analysts say the proposed EU-wide phase-out could take several years to implement, given the complexity and expense of replacing existing network infrastructure. Yet, many see it as an inevitable step as Europe tightens its focus on technological sovereignty and data security.
If formalized, the decision would further reshape the global telecom landscape, deepening the divide between Western technology alliances and China’s growing digital ecosystem.
