2024-07-11 13:42:14
In the digital age, mobile communications are becoming increasingly important. The Chinese company Huawei is also playing a key role in network expansion in Germany. That is likely to change in a few years.
A solution is emerging in the dispute over the banning of Chinese technology from German cell phone networks. As the dpa learned from informed sources, government representatives and cell phone companies have agreed on a way forward. A contract for this is still pending, but a corresponding signature could be made soon. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, WDR and NDR had previously reported on this.
In a first step, from 2026, no more components from Chinese suppliers will be allowed to be installed in the so-called core network. The core network essentially refers to the data centers in which massive amounts of data are processed. The second step relates to the access network, in which from 2029, no more Chinese technology will be allowed in control systems – these are considered to be the intelligent and therefore critical part of this network. According to informed circles, the antennas are not the issue.
A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior said that the review of critical components in 5G mobile networks should be completed shortly. “A decision has been made on how to proceed.” The ministry is currently holding talks with all network operators involved. “The federal government is acting on the basis of the National Security Strategy and the China Strategy in order to reduce possible security risks and dependencies.”
The topic has been hotly debated for years. It is driven by the concern that China could gain access to German cell phone networks through providers such as Huawei. There have been calls from German politicians to completely ban technology from Chinese providers, including the removal of 5G antennas. However, antennas are considered a rather uncritical part of the network because they are only used for radio transmission and not for data processing.
Now it looks as if the network operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2 Telefónica will be able to avoid expanding Huawei antennas. In the debate, representatives of mobile phone providers warned against drastic measures because they could worsen the quality of the mobile phone network and leave Germany behind in the data-driven digital age. Leading telecommunications managers had threatened to file claims for damages if politicians set requirements that they considered too harsh.