The French government has come to the decision not to exclude Huawei and other Chinese tech companies from potential 5G contracts. This is a move likely to cause chagrin in the US, which continues to put pressure on allies not to work with Chinese equipment vendors due to security concerns.
“The government will not exclude anyone. We are not following the position of the United States,” she added. “We will proceed on a case by case basis.”
Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
“We do not target one equipment maker,” said Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. “There is no exclusion. There are three equipment makers active in France. Huawei has a 25% market share, and there is also Nokia and Ericsson. Samsung is not active yet in France, but is interested in 5G,” Pannier-Runacher went on to say.
“The government will not exclude anyone. We are not following the position of the United States,” she added. “We will proceed on a case by case basis.”
To exclude the likes of Huawei could lead to 5G delays in France – where Huawei is a major technology provider – and this is clearly one of the main reasons that countries are allowing 5G access, with the alternative almost certainly leading to delays in roll out.
The government has said that French telecoms operators must seek permission from the Prime Minister for their 5G network projects. And they will then receive clearance based on national security considerations.
Germany split over Huawei tech
Meanwhile, a group of over 80 German officials from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party have presented a motion at the party’s annual convention against Huawei’s participation in building 5G networks.
“Only those suppliers can be trustworthy that are not under the influence of undemocratic states without a functioning rule of law,” reads the text approved during the party convention.
“Big companies in China have by law to serve the interest of the Communist party in China and cooperate with Chinese intelligence,” said Norbert Roettgen, head of the parliamentary committee on foreign relations.
However, Angela Merkel remains in favor of allowing Huawei to supply components for Germany’s 5G networks. And Huawei continues to deny allegations about sharing sensitive information with the Chinese government.
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