German Government and Mobile Operators Reach Agreement to Phase Out Chinese Suppliers from 5G Networks

Following extensive negotiations, the German federal government and mobile network operators have reached a consensus to partially ban Chinese 5G technology. The agreement mandates the removal of critical components of Chinese origin from core networks by 2026 and the elimination of Chinese software from antenna and access networks by 2029. Despite concerns about Chinese market dominance in the German 5G network, the compromise falls short of earlier demands, with no large-scale dismantling obligations imposed.

The decision also includes contractual penalties for non-compliance and emphasizes the need for open interfaces to ensure network security. The move aims to safeguard the 5G infrastructure from potential security risks and reduce dependencies on Chinese providers, reflecting ongoing global efforts to secure critical telecommunications networks.