Since not all member states have voluntarily decided to ban Chinese companies from their 5G networks, the European Union is considering a formal ban.

Since 2020, the European Union has been urging its member states not to grant companies that pose a “security risk” (read: Chinese companies) a place in the 5G infrastructure, at the express request of the US. Not all member states have responded to this call yet, and Germany, among others, seems to be delaying the decision. According to the newspaper “Financial Times” there could now be a formal ban.

The measures bring criticism in particular to Huawei. After Washington banned the Chinese telecoms company in 2019, it joined its European allies in campaigning to do the same. The United States accuses Huawei of having close ties with Beijing. As the 5G technology is used in critical infrastructures, the company’s technology could open the floodgates to espionage from China, it is feared.

Huawei has always denied these allegations and irrefutable evidence is rather rare. A scandal in the Netherlands that revealed Huawei had unauthorized access to phone numbers from local telecom operator KPN did not do the company’s reputation well in Europe.

Failed charm offensive

Both Huawei and the European Union have not yet responded to the article. However, Huawei caused quite a stir at the recent Mobile World Congress. Unfortunately, this charm offensive seems to have had little effect. A new setback for the company that is gradually creeping out of the valley.