Portugal paves the way for a Huawei ban on the country’s 5G network

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The Portuguese government has laid the groundwork for a ban on Huawei equipment in the country’s 5G network in what would be a political reversal that deals a major blow to the Chinese company’s ambitions in Europe.

A document from the Portuguese government’s cybersecurity council set out the rationale for a possible ban on some 5G equipment, including Huawei‘s, outlining a plan to limit the use of kits deemed “high-risk,” telecom industry officials said.

Governments around the world have used the term “high-risk supplier” to refer to Huawei when they introduced limits on the use of the company’s equipment.

The question of whether or not to allow telecom groups to use Huawei equipment in 5G infrastructure has become a major issue across Europe after Washington launched an offensive to get allied nations to ban the Chinese telecom group on security grounds. national security.

The UK, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have banned Huawei from building their 5G network. This year, Germany said it was reviewing the use of Chinese components in its 5G network and considering whether a change in the law is needed.

But Portugal was one of the few countries in Europe that rejected pressure from the US government. Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, whose country has been one of the largest per capita recipients of Chinese investment, told the Financial Times in 2019 that Chinese companies had “shown complete respect for our legal framework and market rules”.

The security move indicates a significant change in relation to Lisbon benevolent relationship with Beijing. It’s flourished as economic ties between the countries have grown over the past decade, but it’s gotten more difficult as the United States pressures European allies to cool their ties with China.

The cybersecurity council document, known officially as a “deliberation,” was posted on the government website on Thursday and signed by a senior national security official, António Gameiro Marques.

Outline plans for exclude or apply restrictions on the use of equipment deemed high-risk in its 5G network, but it has no immediate effect because it would need to be approved by the cabinet, which oversees the cybersecurity council.

The Portuguese government said its assessment could result in the exclusion, limitation or cessation of use of certain equipment and services, but noted that the result of its assessment was still “classified”.

The top three mobile telecommunications groups in the Portugal they are Altice Portugal, Nos and Vodafone. Altice Portugal, the largest operator, signed a deal with Huawei in 2018 to use the Chinese supplier as part of its 5G rollout.

Huawei said in a statement that it was aware that the Portuguese government had issued a statement regarding the security risk of telecommunications equipment and was gathering further information with relevant authorities.

“Huawei is unaware of this matter and has not been consulted about it,” it said. “Over the past two decades, Huawei has partnered with Portuguese carriers to build wireless networks and provide quality services that connect millions of people. We will continue to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and will serve Portuguese customers and partners who rely on our products and services.”

Under Portugal’s directive, the Cyber ​​Security Board has undertaken a detailed review of the equipment used in the country’s communications networks.

It ruled that some 5G equipment had been deemed high-risk if, among other things, the company making it was linked to a government or legal system that lacked legislation or diplomatic agreements with Portugal or the EU to protect data, computer security or intellectual property or has been found responsible for hostile acts of espionage or sabotage against Portugal or its allies.

Altice Portugal and Vodafone did not respond to a request for comment.