Brussels has unveiled an EU-wide plan to deal with the potential security risks of new 5G mobile networks in a move that reflects rising fears about Chinese companies and is seen by critics as overdue.
The bloc’s 28 countries will have three months to carry out national risk assessments and then another 15 to act on and tighten new pan-EU standards to protect the critical communications infrastructure, under a European Commission proposal published on Tuesday.
The recommendation comes at a time when the EU is in a series of rolling 5G spectrum auctions, and under growing pressure from the US to take a tough line and ban products made by Huawei and other Chinese technology businesses from sensitive systems.
“5G technology will transform our economy and society and open massive opportunities for people and businesses,” said Andrus Ansip, European Commission vice-president in charge of the digital single market. “But we cannot accept this happening without full security built in.” He added: “We have to take those risks seriously. We have to hurry up.”
The commission has called on member states to complete a national security assessment of 5G network…
