Fearing espionage, the US has put pressure on European governments to review the role of Chinese companies in 5G networks.
Swedish regulators have banned the use of Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment in China on their 5G network ahead of the government’s spectrum auction scheduled for next month.
The Swedish Post and Telecommunications Authority (PTS) announced that the establishment of the license conditions followed the assessments of the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service.
European governments have reviewed the role of Chinese companies in building their networks under pressure from the United States. They pose a security threat as Chinese companies and citizens, among other things, are required by law to support the state in collecting information.
The UK ordered in July that Huawei devices would be removed from the UK 5G network by 2027, making it one of the first European countries to do so.
Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Sweden’s decision.
According to PTS, companies participating in the auction must remove Huawei and ZTE devices from existing central functions by January 1, 2025.
The regulatory authority defined central functions as devices for setting up the radio access network, the transmission network, the core network and the service and maintenance of the network.
PTS said the license terms were decided to take into account the assessments of the armed forces and security services.
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