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.

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.


Recent Content

AT&T and Cisco introduce a seamless digital buying experience for the new Meraki MG52 and MG52E cellular gateways. Businesses can now easily deploy 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) across campuses and branch environments, leveraging instant-on provisioning and self-service AT&T data plans directly from the Cisco Meraki dashboard.
Stay updated with the latest in Indian tech and telecom: Samsung launches Galaxy F55 5G, Lava teases Yuva 5G, and new trends in affordable 5G phones. Discover the impact of telecom infrastructure investments, GST updates for telcos, and more.
T-Mobile announces the plan to acquire UScellular’s wireless operations, expanding its 5G network to underserved areas and offering unmatched consumer benefits and competitive pricing.
Ghana has opted for a wholesale network approach to 5GNext-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) has been awarded a licence to build and operate a shared 5G networ…
Ericsson’s smart factory based in Texas, US builts 5G and advanced antenna systems radios. The smart factory is 25% more energy-efficient, produces 17% of required power on-site via solar panels, uses 40,000-gallon tanks to collect & reuse rainwater, and reduces shipping distance up to 5 times.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, industrial enterprises are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Disruptions caused by the pandemic, supply chain issues, and intense competition have made it imperative for CIOs to prioritize digital transformation initiatives that seamlessly converge and integrate operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) domains.

Currently, no free downloads are available for related categories. Search similar content to download:

  • Reset

It seems we can't find what you're looking for.

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top