A new assessment by Portugal’s government could mean a major blow to Huawei’s ambitions in the country and Europe, as the publication of a document by the Portuguese government’s Security Assessment Commission on Friday pondered a possible ban on some 5G equipment in the country.
This would mean a turnaround in national cybersecurity policy and a defeat for the Chinese company’s claims in Europe.
According to the “Financial Times” newspaper, the document in question, dated May 23, discusses outlining a plan to restrict the use of equipment considered “high risk.”
The document signifies a turn in Portuguese cybersecurity policy, since for years, the Portuguese government has been under pressure from US authorities not to use technology linked to 5G networks supplied by Chinese companies, namely Huawei.
Moreover, the decision affects not only Portugal but extends to the European continent.
This is because allowing or not allowing telecom groups to use Huawei equipment in 5G infrastructure has become a major continental issue after Washington launched an offensive to get allied nations to ban the Chinese telecom group on national security grounds.
The ban on Huawei building 5G networks is already effective in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
This year, Germany announced a review of the use of Chinese components in its 5G network and an investigation into a possible change in the law.
In contrast, Portugal was one of the only European countries to oppose the US government’s pressure, as the country has been one of the largest per capita recipients of investments from China.
The Security Assessment Commission document, officially known as “Deliberation No. 1/2023,” was published on the government’s website on Friday.
In the paper, plans are described to apply restrictions on equipment considered high risk on the 5G network or to exclude it, but without immediate effect, as this requires approval from the commission’s oversight office.
The Portuguese government said that the assessment may result in the exclusion, restriction, or termination of the use of certain equipment and services but noted that the outcome of this assessment is “confidential.”
Altice Portugal, NOS, and Vodafone are the country’s three main mobile telecommunications groups.
The former, the largest operator, has had a contract since 2018 with Huawei to use the Chinese supplier as part of its 5G deployment.
Huawei said in a statement that it was aware of the Portuguese government’s statement on the security risk of telecommunications equipment and was gathering more information with related authorities.
With information from Valor
News Portugal, English news Portugal, Portugal’s 5G
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