STOCKHOLM: Sweden on Tuesday banned on security grounds the use of telecom equipment from China’s Huawei and ZTE 000063.SZ in its 5G network ahead of a spectrum auction scheduled for next month, joining other European nations that have restricted the role of Chinese suppliers.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said here the setting of the licence conditions followed assessments by the Swedish Armed Forces and security service, which called China “one of the biggest threats against Sweden”.
European governments have been tightening controls on Chinese companies building 5G networks, following diplomatic pressure from Washington, which alleges Huawei equipment could be used by Beijing for spying. Huawei has repeatedly denied being a national security risk.
The United Kingdom in July ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from Britain’s 5G network by 2027, becoming one of the first European countries to do so.
Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision by Sweden, home to Ericsson ERICb.ST, one of Europe’s leading telecoms equipment suppliers. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately comment.
“The ban leaves network operators with less options and risks slowing the rollout of 5G in markets where competition is reduced,” said Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight.
Ericsson, unlike Nokia, has won contracts from all three major operators in China to supply radio equipment for 5G networks, and could be at risk if the Chinese government decides to retaliate here.
“It could be that some of the European vendors will sell less in China going forward if the Chinese are selling less in Europe going forward,” CEO Kjell Johnsen of Swedish-based telecom operator Tele2 said in a post-earnings conference call.
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The Swedish ban is likely to benefit Ericsson and Finland’s Nokia NOKIA.HE. Keith Krach, the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic affairs, had earlier here said the Scandinavian companies were the only ones that European governments should choose.
Ericsson and Nokia declined to comment on the ban.
PTS said companies taking part in the auction must remove Huawei and ZTE gear from existing central functions by Jan. 1, 2025.
The regulator defined central functions as equipment used to build the radio access, transmission and core networks as well as the service and maintenance of the network.
PTS said the licence conditions were aimed at addressing the assessments by the armed forces and security service.
It has approved the participation of Sweden’s Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sverige TELIA.ST and Teracom in the planned spectrum auction of 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz, key bands crucial for the rollout of 5G.
Tele2 TEL2b.ST and Telenor TEL.OL will participate together as Net4Mobility to secure spectrum for a joint nationwide 5G network.
Tele2, which uses Huawei equipment in its network, which had earlier called Huawei an important vendor, said the PTS decision “does not change our plans substantially”.
“Many operators have already proven that when they rip and replace Chinese equipment, it doesn’t have a negative impact on their capital spending,” said industry consultant John Strand.
The 5G spectrum auction was originally planned for early 2020, but last year PTS said it would delay the auction due to a security review. PTS announced in April this year that the auction would begin in November.
