Chinese telco gear may become <i>verboten</i> on German networks

Germany is considering a plan to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from 5G core networks by January 1, 2026, and to reduce broader dependencies by 2029, citing national security risks associated with China’s National Intelligence Law. While some ministries support the move, industry opposition and cost concerns persist, with estimates such as Deutsche Bahn’s €400 million and U.S. FCC’s underestimated $5 billion “rip and replace” costs illustrating the financial impact. The proposal aligns with broader international restrictions, including bans or limitations in the UK, EU guidance, and bans on government networks in Japan, Australia, and Canada, and could affect Germany’s intelligence-sharing relationships if reliance on Chinese vendors continues.