Huawei Remains a Force in European 5G Despite Regulatory Crackdown

Huawei Remains a Force in European 5G Despite Regulatory Crackdown

The European Union has repeatedly flagged Huawei and ZTE as "high-risk" vendors, urging member states to limit their involvement in critical 5G infrastructure. However, new data from Strand Consult reveals that Chinese equipment continues to play a significant role in most of Europe's major economies. This analysis delves deeper into the factors contributing to this persistence and examines the implications for European telecommunications and cybersecurity. The Enduring Presence of Chinese Vendors Despite EU warnings and government efforts to restrict Chinese vendors, Strand Consult data shows that nearly a third of all 5G sites across 32 European countries were supplied by Chinese vendors in the final quarter of 2024. This figure has remained relatively stable since mid-2022, indicating that the impact of regulatory measures has been limited. Furthermore, Strand Consult predicts that Chinese vendors will maintain a substantial share of the 5G market throughout the decade,…