Sweden has become the latest nation to ban Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network, saying doing otherwise would “harm security”. Huawei and ZTE will also have to remove any existing installations by January 1, 2025.
The ban is in line with new legislation that entered into force in January 2020, following an examination by the Swedish armed forces and security service “to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Sweden’s security,” the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said in a statement.
Tuesday’s ban came as PTS announced it had approved four applications for Sweden’s 5G spectrum auctions planned to start on November 10. The four companies, all Swedish, are Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sweden and Teracom.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has now examined the applications for the spectrum auctions planned to start on 10 November 2020.
Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sverige and Teracom have been approved for participation in the 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz auctions. The auction in the 3.5 GHz band starts on 10 November.
In accordance with new legislation, which entered into force on 1 January 2020, an examination of applications has been conducted in consultation with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service, to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Sweden´s security.
The PTS defined central functions as equipment used to build the radio access network, the transmission network, the core network and the service and maintenance of the network.
“China is one of the biggest threats to Sweden,” said Klas Friberg, head of Sweden’s security services. He added that China was aiding its economic development and military capabilities by “extensive intelligence gathering and theft of technology, research and development”.
“This is what we must consider when building the 5G network of the future. We cannot compromise with Sweden’s security,” Mr Friberg added.
