The government wants to ban hardware and software from companies that do not receive CSAT approval from being used in networks based on later 5G technologies, such as the 6G technology currently being tested in China, which will allow data to be transmitted at speeds of 1TB per second. . In addition, CSAT approval will be required not only by manufacturers, but also by distributors and integrators of such equipment and solutions.

The information is contained in a draft law released on Monday, March 4, during a public consultation by the Ministry of Digital Technology to amend the 5G security law, under which the government recently banned the use of equipment and software made by China’s Huawei. in 5G networks from the country.

• SEE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE 5G ACT

What justifies the extension of the 5G Security Act to later technologies

These measures will cover not only 5G networks and IT&C infrastructure of national interest, but also IT systems (digital public services, cloud, IT platforms, etc.) and approval of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) is not required. only for manufacturers, distributors and IT system integrators using this hardware and software.

• “Given the technological progress in the electronic communications component, as well as the fact that the emergence of new generations of communication technologies (such as 6G technology) is expected, the impact of which will have consequences for the national security plan, the amendment aims to extend the law for them as well.
• As far as distributors and integrators are concerned, the purpose of the amendment is to prevent those risks created by individuals and legal entities that sell technologies produced by companies that would be (or are) negatively approved without reporting this aspect,” state the rationale.

6G technology is currently being tested in China, including by Huawei, and can provide data transfer speeds of 1TB. According to estimates, the first 6G networks could be launched by mobile operators in 2030, if the standard is finalized by then.

Changes to public procurement: the IT register of companies that receive CSAT approval will be linked to SEAP

Considering the projected exponential increase in the number of requests for the issuance of CSAT authorization, a situation that will lead to an overload of the approval process, the Ministry of Digitization (MCID) proposes to simplify the document transfer procedure so that the request received from companies is immediately sent directly to the General Secretariat of the Government.

This change resulted from the removal of an initially unnecessary exchange between MCID and CSAT from the approval scheme prior to the Prime Minister’s approval of the request for authorization to be placed on the CSAT agenda.

The Digitization Authority of Romania (ADR) will create and administer the National Electronic Register of Manufacturers, Distributors and Integrators of Technologies, Hardware and Software intended for IT and Communication Infrastructures of National Interest, hereinafter referred to as RENPDI.

In this register, the identification data of CSAT-authorized manufacturers, distributors and integrators will be uploaded and updated and linked to the Government Electronic Procurement System (SEAP).

The aim is that the confirmation of the fulfillment of the conditions established by the award documents drawn up by government institutions with powers at the level of the system of national defense, public order and national security, is carried out automatically, without human intervention, avoiding any possible error regarding them.

In addition, after the creation of this national register, it will be possible to automatically check online the fulfillment of the conditions established by the documentation for assigning the right to operators to participate in public selection procedures.

In addition, in order to reduce the vulnerability for the security and defense of the country, in the case of manufacturers previously authorized by the current 5G law, the obligation to register a registered office in Romania within 6 months from the date of entry into force will be implemented by the new law.

In what terms do operators exclude Huawei equipment from networks

Hardware and software from manufacturers, distributors and integrators that do not receive CSAT approval, as in the case of Huawei, must be excluded from the country’s IT infrastructure and networks no later than June 11, 2028, except for those in the network core , which must be removed no later than June 11, 2026.

Huawei considers the appeal of the exclusion from 5G networks in court: a decision without an objective assessment or specific conclusions

China’s Huawei expressed its disappointment on Friday at the government’s decision to ban the company’s equipment from 5G networks after 20 years of presence in Romania. The company, which has 1,300 local employees, said the “decision was not based on any objective assessment and was not made after any specific findings” and that it “reserves the legal right to appeal this decision.”

• We are disappointed by the decision of the Romanian government, a decision that is not based on any objective assessment and was not made after concrete conclusions. “Huawei has been present in Romania for more than 20 years, all this time without experiencing any security problems, fully complying with all national laws, norms and regulations,” the company said in its response to HotNews.ro’s request.

The company claims that “its equipment and services are safe and reliable, and technical solutions are also tested and certified to meet all standards and requirements of the telecommunications industry.”

• “Huawei is also a recognized provider of secure and reliable 5G infrastructure for most EU countries, and Huawei in Romania is ready to work with the Romanian authorities to obtain clarifications.
• This decision will affect our business in Romania, and will also have a long-term negative impact on the information and communication technology (ICT) industry ecosystem and the business of our local partners,” the company said.

Huawei Romania states that “together with its 1,300 local employees, it will continue to serve the Romanian society with safe and reliable solutions, develop ICT talent and promote employment”, but finally stresses that “it reserves the legal right to appeal this decision”. .

Huawei-commissioned study: what costs operators and users in Romania face by abandoning Chinese equipment

A new report prepared in December 2023 by the Oxford Economics firm commissioned by Huawei estimates the potential costs of removing the Chinese group’s equipment from operators’ networks in Romania.

• “We estimate that the replacement costs of Chinese manufacturers’ 5G network equipment for operators could be around 4.4 to 4.9 billion lei by 2030.
• It is estimated that the costs of expanding and maintaining the 5G network (not with other 5G manufacturers) will also increase by 240-530 million lei per year over the next decade, leading to an increase in monthly mobile communication costs between 3.9 lei and 8, 6 lei for Romanian consumers.
• Due to the rising cost of network equipment, between 1.3 million and 2.9 million people (7%-16% of the population) who would otherwise have access to a 5G network may not have access to a 5G network in 2030,” it said. in the message. in a study commissioned by Huawei.

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