The Commission proposes more drastic measures to evict Huawei from telephone networks

European the commission proposes a new network security regulation, which would limit the use of high-risk companies’ network equipment and software in the fifth generation (5g) mobile phone networks.

The Commission does not name high-risk companies in its proposal. In the past, it has defined Huawei and ZTE as such, which are Chinese companies.

Commissioner for Digital Affairs Henna Virkkunen said on Tuesday at a press conference that the commission would later evaluate the high-risk companies.

The new regulation would prevent the use of their devices and software in “critical” areas of 5g networks.

Already in 2020, the Commission issued a recommendation based on which many member states restricted the use of Huawei and ZTE products in their mobile phone networks. Member states have followed the recommendation to varying degrees.

Therefore, instead of a recommendation, the Commission proposes a regulation that is legally binding on the member states. In addition to mobile phone networks, the new regulation aims to reduce the risks to the information and communication technology supply chain.

United States has been pressuring EU member states to block the use of Huawei equipment and software for years.

According to the United States, the companies’ products can be used for espionage, but it has not presented evidence of the problems it claims.

Huawei, on the other hand, has repeatedly denied claims that its products could be used for espionage.

in Finland of the active telecom operators, Dna uses Huawei’s products the most. The company’s products are also in Elisa’s networks, but according to Telia’s announcement, they are not used at all.

Network equipment companies Nokia and Ericsson have benefited from the fact that the use of Huawei and ZTE products has been significantly restricted in many European countries.