EU member states propose flexible deadlines for removing high-risk telecom equipment

EU member states have proposed a more flexible approach for telecommunications operators regarding the removal of equipment from high-risk vendors, such as China's Huawei. This proposal moves away from the European Commission's initial suggestion of a fixed 36-month deadline for phasing out such equipment from mobile networks.

Under the new proposal, the timeline for removal would be determined by several criteria rather than a single deadline. These factors include the identified level of security risk, the lifespan of existing products and infrastructure, equipment replacement cycles, interoperability requirements, and the availability of suitable alternatives.

The European Commission previously proposed revisions to the Cybersecurity Act to mitigate risks in European ICT supply chains. While the Commission has maintained that restricting companies like Huawei and ZTE is justified due to security concerns, the telecommunications industry has warned that rapid removal could impose significant financial burdens and potentially slow down other investments.