The long-standing dispute over the ban of Chinese components in the latest 5G mobile network seems to be coming to an end, according to a media report. Government officials and mobile network providers have reportedly agreed on the outlines of a solution.
The first step will involve removing components from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei or ZTE from the core network by 2026. The core network refers to the central 5G data centers for data transmission. In a second phase, Chinese components will be removed from the management system of the access and transport network by the end of 2029. Penalties will be imposed for any violations of this timeline.
The agreement is expected to be formally sealed soon. The German government considers the 5G network as the 'central nervous system' of the country's economy and believes it must be highly protected.
The concerns about network security stem from the legal obligation of Chinese companies to cooperate closely with the state, raising fears of potential sabotage or espionage. The recent Russian aggression towards Ukraine has also influenced the assessment of critical infrastructure vulnerability.
To avoid dependencies, Germany plans to largely exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network by 2029, with an interim step in 2026. The banning of Chinese components in the 5G network is aimed at ensuring network security and protecting against potential threats.
