Germany in deal to cut Huawei's role in 5G wireless network, report says (updated)

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

10/07/2024 15:11

(Adds details, ministry comment)
    By Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke
       FRANKFURT, July 10 (Reuters) - The German government and
mobile phone carriers have agreed in principle on steps to phase
components by Chinese technology companies out of the nation's
5G wireless network over the next five years, a group of German
media outlets reported on Wednesday.
    Newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung as well as broadcasters NDR
and WDR said in a joint report that the agreement gives network
operators Deutsche Telekom  DTEGn.DE , Vodafone  VOD.L  and
Telefonica Deutschland  O2Dn.H   TEF.MC  more time to replace
critical parts, without specifying its sources.
    Under the pact driven by security considerations, operators
will initially rid the nation's core network of 5G data centres
of technology made by companies such as Huawei  HWT.UL  and ZTE
 000063.SZ  in 2026, later than initially envisaged.
    In a second phase, the role of Chinese makers' parts for
antennas, transmission lines and towers should be all but
eliminated by 2029, later than a previously discussed 2026
deadline, the report added.
        When asked to comment, Germany's interior ministry told
Reuters that the government's talks with mobile carriers are
ongoing.
  

 (Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke, Editing by
Rachel More)
 ((ludwig.burger@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220133634;))