Our latest research provides a summary of key developments since June 2024 on national 5G security initiatives in the 27 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.
Germany and Estonia were added to the list of countries that banned Huawei and/or ZTE. Based on publicly available information, these countries, together with Romania and Sweden, are the only EU countries that explicitly banned Chinese 5G equipment vendors.
Estonia
Elisa contested the decision of Estonian administrative authorities that labelled Huawei as an HRV before the administrative court of Tallinn. The court requested a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
The CJEU will address several questions, for example whether:
- the Estonian legislation restricting HRVs is compatible with EU law, including the principle of proportionality; and
- the requirement to remove already deployed hardware and software could be considered as expropriation of property.
Germany
The German government announced in July 2024 that mobile network operators (MNOs) should stop using 5G critical components from Huawei and ZTE by the end of 2026 in the core network.
In the RAN, MNOs can still use antennas from the above vendors, but they will replace network management systems (NMS) with solutions from other vendors by the end of 2029.
The restrictions would be laid down in contracts concluded between the government and MNOs.
For more information and access to our full benchmark on 5G security measures across Europe, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our European Digital Economy service.
>> See also our benchmark on 5G security measures across the Americas!
more news
31 October 24
Most countries in the Americas have no restrictions on vendors for 5G networks
Cullen International’s new benchmark on 5G national security in the Americas region shows that Brazil, Chile and the United States are the only researched countries that have adopted network security measures that apply to 5G networks.
28 October 24
Transposition of WEEE Directive
Our new benchmark tracks the implementation of certain requirements (e.g. on e-waste collection, treatment, targets and penalties) under the WEEE Directive in 14 EU member states.
24 October 24
Market power of big tech
This Cullen International Global Trends benchmark compares regulatory and competition law approaches to potential market power issues related to online platforms across 14 jurisdictions worldwide.