According to government sources quoted by AFP on Wednesday, Germany is mulling a ban on components from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE in its 5G networks starting in 2026.
Chinese components will be prohibited from the nation’s “core network” as of January 1, 2026, according to government proposals, the sources claimed. It is understood that the prohibition will cover both newly installed parts and older ones as well.
The sources added that the government plans to gradually phase out Huawei and ZTE components from Germany’s “access and transport network.”
According to a draft interior ministry document seen by AFP, the modifications to the Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica-operated 5G mobile networks in Germany are “of high importance for the German government in terms of security policy.”
According to the memo, there is “an urgent need for action” because of Germany’s “significant structural dependencies” on Huawei and ZTE. According to the draft document, the proposal is a key component of Germany’s “de-risking” strategy for its relationship with China, which was unveiled by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in July.
Germany unveiled a 64-page report in July describing its new approach to a more “assertive” China, its main trading partner. Germany’s position toward China as a “partner, competitor, and systemic rival” was updated in the statement, which aimed to strike a balance between the competing interests of the EU’s largest economy.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated upon introducing the approach, “We want to reduce critical dependencies in the future,” adding that Berlin has “reacted to a China that has changed and become more assertive.”
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