Portugal Considers Excluding Huawei and Chinese Firms from 5G Networks
In a significant development, Portugal is contemplating a ban on Huawei and other Chinese companies from participating in the country's 5G buildouts. The Portuguese government has recommended that local carriers refrain from sourcing 5G equipment from suppliers outside the European Union or from countries not associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED), as reported by Bloomberg.
According to a statement released by Portugal's Higher Council for Cybersecurity, companies operating outside these jurisdictions are deemed to pose a "high risk" to the security of the nation's wireless networks. Although the document does not explicitly mention Huawei, as China is not a member of NATO, the OCED, or the EU, Huawei and other Chinese suppliers like ZTE would effectively be excluded from participating in Portugal's 5G networks if the cabinet approves the security council's recommendation.
In response to these developments, a spokesperson from Huawei informed the Financial Times that the company had no prior knowledge of the matter and had not been consulted. The spokesperson emphasized that Huawei has worked closely with Portuguese carriers over the past two decades, contributing to the construction of wireless networks and providing quality services to connect millions of people. The company affirmed its commitment to complying with all applicable laws and regulations while continuing to serve Portuguese customers and partners who rely on its products and services.
The potential exclusion of Chinese companies from Portugal's 5G networks represents a significant shift in the country's stance, given its longstanding close relations with China. Portugal has been a prominent recipient of Chinese investment, with substantial economic ties between the two nations. Notably, Altice Portugal, the country's largest wireless carrier, previously signed an agreement in 2018 to utilize Huawei equipment for a portion of its 5G rollout. If Portugal proceeds with the ban, it will join countries such as Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which have recently prohibited Huawei's involvement in their 5G networks.
