Technology
Apparently agreement on Chinese components in the 5G network
The use of Chinese components, such as those from Huawei, in future German cell phone networks was examined. photo
© Wolf von Dewitz/dpa
The 5G network is intended to boost the Internet in Germany – and thus make many areas of life more digital. What role should technology from China play in this?
The traffic light government has agreed on how to deal with components from Chinese manufacturers for the future German mobile network. “There is a decision on how to proceed,” the German Press Agency learned in Berlin from government circles.
“The Federal Government is acting on the basis of the National Security Strategy and the China Strategy in order to reduce possible security risks and dependencies.” What was agreed upon remained unclear at first. At the same time, however, the Federal Ministry of the Interior’s review of critical components in 5G mobile networks is to continue and be completed “shortly”.
According to a report in the “Handelsblatt”, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and several ministers wanted to discuss the issue. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) as well as Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (both Greens) were there. It is said to be about products from Chinese manufacturers Huawei and ZTE.
In September, the Interior Ministry had already decided to radically ban Huawei and ZTE from the network. The three mobile phone providers Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica Deutschland (O2) were to free their core networks of critical components of Chinese origin by the end of 2025. By 2026, the access network in the major cities – especially the capital Berlin – should be free of Chinese components.
However, there were concerns in the department of Digital Minister Wissing. They argued that strict regulations already exist. A spokesman stressed on Thursday: “We firmly reject the claim that the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport is blocking a decision on security issues in the expansion of mobile networks.”