France Also Phases Out Huawei 5G Equipment Gradually

France Notifies Huawei 5G Equipment Use Permit Validity 3-5 Years
Renewal Not Allowed After Expiration

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] France has decided to phase out Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei's devices from the 5th generation mobile communication (5G) market.

On the 23rd, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), a major Western telecom company cited multiple sources reporting that France plans to effectively remove Huawei equipment from its 5G network by 2028.

French authorities have informed domestic telecom operators that the usage authorization period for 5G equipment will be 3 to 5 years for Huawei products, and 8 years for European companies Ericsson and Nokia products. It is also reported that unofficially, once the current Huawei telecommunications equipment in use reaches the end of its authorized period, it will not be renewed.

Officially, France maintains the principle of not excluding Huawei from its domestic 5G network projects. On the 21st (local time), Bruno Le Maire, France's Minister of Economy and Finance, stated in an interview with France Info, "There is no discrimination against telecom operators in France," and added, "We will not prohibit Huawei from investing in 5G."

However, sources explained that the recent policy by French authorities appears to be a move to gradually phase out Huawei from the country's 5G network. They also noted that this change comes amid the United States urging its allies to join in excluding Huawei, emphasizing that the use of Huawei's 5G equipment poses a national security threat.

Earlier, the United Kingdom decided to remove all Huawei equipment from its telecommunications networks by 2027.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.