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.”

• “Huawei Romania has taken note of the government’s decision to request the authorization of the company’s equipment for 5G infrastructure, a decision taken on February 29, 2024, which is currently being evaluated, as well as its further impact.
• 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” . .

Romania banned Huawei equipment from 5G networks due to national security risks

The Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) on February 21, 2024 rejected the request of the Chinese group Huawei to use its equipment in the 5G networks in Romania, a decision reinforced by a decision signed on Thursday by Prime Minister Marcel Čolaku and published in the Official Gazette.

The decision, signed by Prime Minister Çolaku, contains only one article giving reasons for rejecting the Chinese group’s request:

• “A unique article. The request for permission to use 5G infrastructure equipment made by Huawei Technologies SRL, Huawei International Co., has been rejected. Limited, Huawei Technologies Kft and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. in accordance with Law no. 163/2021 on taking measures related to information and communication infrastructures of national interest and the conditions for the implementation of 5G networks, as a result of assessments carried out by institutions responsible in this field, in terms of risks, threats and vulnerabilities for the national security and defense of the country and referring to the commitments undertaken by the Romanian state within the framework of cooperation at the level of international organizations, of which Romania is a part, the European Union and bilateral strategic partnerships.”

5G Act Unveiled by Yohannis: Stakes and Changes to Telecom Networks If 5G Manufacturer Fails to Get CSAT Approval

We remind you that in the summer of 2021, after the Memorandum on 5G signed with the US, Romania adopted the law on the security of 5G networks, a regulatory act designed to limit possible security risks from IT manufacturers in China.

The main Chinese manufacturers affected by the law are Huawei and ZTE, both of which have significant shares of equipment in the networks of telecommunications operators in Romania.

Other major manufacturers of 5G equipment and technologies that have already received CSAT approval are Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia.

According to the law, equipment and applications of a 5G manufacturer that has not received CSAT approval can only be used in the core of telecommunications networks for 5 years, and the rest of the equipment for 7 years.

The license for 5G equipment and software manufacturers is granted by a decision of the Prime Minister based on the approval of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) within 4 months from the date of the request.

The European Commission calls on EU countries to exclude Huawei and ZTE equipment from 5G networks

Last summer, Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the internal market, called on EU countries and telecom operators to take steps to quickly exclude Chinese equipment, especially Huawei and ZTE, from 5G networks due to security risks.

A European official said the European Commission’s analysis of security risks showed that the decision by some member states to limit or completely exclude Huawei and ZTE equipment from 5G networks was justified.

According to the European Commissioner, at that time only 10 EU countries restricted or banned this equipment in 5G networks.

Huawei rejected the accusations and claimed that it was a purely political decision

The Chinese from Huawei reacted back in the summer of 2020, saying that they will fulfill all the conditions specified in the bill on the transposition of the 5G Memorandum from the US to participate in the construction of future 5G networks in Romania.

The group has denied that it is controlled by a foreign government, has no independent legal system, or that it has shareholder transparency issues.

The fears of the Chinese are related to the possibility of making a purely political decision, without evidence of accusations and without technical evaluations.