Germany considers blocking Huawei from its 5G network

Huawei hasn't had the easiest time in international markets, as both the US and Australia have eschewed 5G technology from the Chinese company amid national security concerns. Germany could very well be next in line, as officials are urging the government to take care in building the country's 5G network.

Germany is currently in the middle of wrapping up its discussion on 5G coverage, potentially aiming for a 2019 rollout. German interior and foreign ministries are reportedly attempting to push a last-minute revision based on the potential security implications of Chinese technology.

While any delays could prove damaging for Germany's economy, concerns point towards the likelihood of a backdoor giving the Chinese government access to mass amounts of data from rival nations. This is brought about by China's National Intelligence Law, which calls upon its own citizens to assist in the gathering of information. German officials believe that this same backdoor would be present if Huawei is to be included in the building of its 5G network.

Huawei has once again denied allegations of Chinese government interference, telling TechRadar that “cyber security has always been our top priority and we have a proven track record of providing secure products and solutions for our customers in Germany and around the world. Because of this exemplary record, we are a trusted partner for all the main telecom carriers in Germany, and we are working with all industry partners to deliver safe and reliable 5G networks in Germany.”

The German government has also attempted to quell concerns by stating that all companies are required to work with the country's security officials to eliminate this possibility. Given that Huawei is a major provider of telecommunications equipment in Europe, it's unlikely that the German government is keen to lose a key supplier right around the corner from 5G implementation.

KitGuru Says: National security concerns are definitely not something to take lightly, however it's still sad to see a truly innovative company struggling at the hands of officials. It would be even sadder to see 5G take longer than necessary, considering so many manufacturers are finally jumping on board with the speedy technology.

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