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European telcos may get more time to phase out high-risk suppliers under EU proposal

BRUSSELS, ⁠Sept 29 (Reuters) - Europe's mobile telecoms operators could get more time to ⁠phase out equipment from suppliers deemed high risk, according to ‌a proposal by EU governments seen by Reuters, after the sector complained replacement could reach €40 billion ($45 billion).

The Star MalaysiaFoo Yun Chee2026-09-29 16:02查看原文 ↗

Technicians work at the top of a mobile-phone relay mast in Lamballe, France December 13, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

The European Commission proposed in January that components and equipment from high-risk suppliers be phased out from critical sectors as ⁠part of its overhaul ⁠of the EU Cybersecurity Act, a move that would mainly affect Huawei ⁠and other ‌Chinese technology companies.

It suggested a 36-month phase-out period for mobile operators. Europe has tightened scrutiny of Chinese technology following cyber ⁠and ransomware attacks and amid growing concerns about foreign espionage.

But EU governments ‌removed the deadline from the Commission's proposal, according to a ⁠document dated September 22 seen by Reuters.

Instead, they said the phase-out period should depend on factors including the level of risk identified, product and infrastructure lifecycles, equipment replacement ⁠cycles, interoperability requirements and the availability of suitable alternatives.

Huawei denies its equipment poses a security risk.

EU countries must now negotiate the Commission's proposal and any amendments with EU lawmakers before the revised ⁠Cybersecurity Act can become law.

According to a February research note by Strand Consult, the largest share of equipment due to be replaced over the next five years is in Germany, Italy and Spain, with Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone heavily reliant on Huawei equipment ⁠in some markets.

In a joint letter earlier this month, Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Timotheus Höttges and 16 industry peers ‌said replacement costs of up to €40 billion risk draining capital needed for fibre, 5G and 6G investments.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Mark Potter)

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2022年12月13日，技术人员在法国朗巴勒的一座移动电话信号塔顶端工作。（路透社/Stephane Mahe）

布鲁塞尔，9 月 29 日（路透社）——据路透社看到的一份欧盟政府提案显示，欧洲移动电信运营商可能会获得更多时间来逐步淘汰被认为高风险的供应商的设备。此前，该行业抱怨更换设备的费用可能高达 400 亿欧元（450 亿美元）。

欧盟委员会在 1 月份提议，作为其对欧盟网络安全法进行全面改革的一部分，逐步淘汰来自高风险供应商的零部件和设备，此举将主要影响华为和其他中国科技公司。

报告建议移动运营商分36个月逐步淘汰。在网络攻击和勒索软件攻击事件发生后，以及对外国间谍活动的担忧日益加剧的情况下，欧洲加强了对中国技术的审查。

但据路透社看到的一份日期为 9 月 22 日的文件显示，欧盟各国政府从欧盟委员会的提案中删除了最后期限。

相反，他们表示，淘汰期应取决于多种因素，包括已确定的风险水平、产品和基础设施的生命周期、设备更换周期、互操作性要求以及是否有合适的替代方案。

华为否认其设备存在安全风险。