Promote your brand in TeckNexus Private Network Magazines. Limited sponsor placements available—reserve now to be featured in upcoming 2025 editions.

Portugal Takes Steps Towards Excluding Chinese 5G Tech Suppliers

Portugal's cybersecurity council is set to issue regulations potentially barring telecom operators from utilizing Chinese equipment for their 5G mobile and 4G platforms. This move could have major implications for Chinese tech heavyweight Huawei and its ambitions in the Portuguese market.
5G
5G

Portugal’s Council for Cybersecurity (CSSC) is poised to release a resolution that might effectively exclude telecommunications operators from using Chinese tech in their advanced 5G mobile networks as well as the foundational 4G platforms.

The CSSC, a consultative body to the Prime Minister, drafted a document on May 23, which adds another hurdle to Huawei’s bid to penetrate the 5G market in Portugal and potentially renew existing contracts. According to a law passed in August of the previous year, the government reserves the right to command “the exclusion, limitations on usage, or discontinuation of use of equipment or services” provided by telecom companies. This legislation also establishes the conditions and deadlines for compliance.

Promote your brand in TeckNexus Private Network Magazines. Limited sponsor placements available—reserve now to be featured in upcoming 2025 editions.

There was no immediate commentary from the government.

Portugal’s leading operators, Altice, NOS, and Vodafone, have already indicated that they won’t employ Huawei’s gear in their 5G core networks. This is in line with Europe and the U.S.’ apprehensions that involving Chinese technology in vital infrastructure may jeopardize security, an assertion that Beijing and Huawei have rejected. Portugal’s present 5G networks are non-standalone and largely reliant on 4G equipment and technology.

The CSSC, without explicitly mentioning China or any Chinese providers, pointed out a “high risk” to security posed by suppliers or providers under the control, interference, or pressure of governments that meddle in their activities in third-party nations.

This stance is based on a confidential report that examined the security of equipment employed in public electronic communications networks involving 5G technology.

The council also highlighted security threats associated with countries that don’t have agreements on data protection, cybersecurity, or intellectual property protection with Portugal or the European Union, or aren’t members of the EU, NATO, or OECD.

In a statement, Huawei mentioned that it had “no prior awareness of, and wasn’t consulted about this issue.” It is currently collecting information about “the nature of the assessment” and expressed its hope to continue serving clients in Portugal. Europe is turning into a tech battlefield amid the rivalry between Beijing and Washington, and if Huawei is excluded, European rivals Ericsson and Nokia could establish a supplier duopoly.


Promote your brand in TeckNexus Private Network Magazines. Limited sponsor placements available—reserve now to be featured in upcoming 2025 editions.

TeckNexus Newsletters

I acknowledge and agree to receive TeckNexus communications in line with the T&C and privacy policy

Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore how Generative AI is transforming telecom infrastructure by solving critical industry challenges like massive data management, network optimization, and personalized customer experiences. This whitepaper offers in-depth insights into AI and Gen AI's role in boosting operational efficiency while ensuring security and regulatory compliance. Telecom operators can harness these AI-driven...
Supermicro and Nvidia Logo
Private Network Solutions - TeckNexus

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Tech News & Insight
Tech News & Insight
Tech News & Insight
Tech News & Insight
Tech News & Insight
Tech News & Insight

Feature Your Brand in Upcoming Magazines

Showcase your expertise through a sponsored article or executive interview in TeckNexus magazines, reaching enterprise and industry decision-makers.

Scroll to Top

Feature Your Brand in Private Network Magazines

With Award-Winning Deployments & Industry Leaders
Sponsorship placements open until Nov 10, 2025