Huawei rejects that Brussels sees "absolutely justified" that EU countries exclude it from its 5G network

It warns that removing it from the deployment of this infrastructure can result in cost overruns of billions of euros

MADRID, 16 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Huawei has expressed its rejection of the comments of the European Commission made this Thursday in which it indicated that it sees "absolutely justified" that some countries of the European Union (EU) have decided to exclude the company --and the also Chinese ZTE-- of the deployment of their 5G networks considering that these are providers that pose serious risks to national security.

"Huawei strongly opposes and disagrees with the comments made by the representatives of the European Commission. It is clear that they are not based on a verified, transparent, objective and technical evaluation of 5G networks," the company has transferred in a statement. .

In this sense, the company has stressed that it understands the "concern" of the European Commission to protect cybersecurity in the EU, however, it has opined that the restrictions or exclusions based, in its opinion, on "discriminatory judgments" will pose "serious economic and social risks.

"They would hinder innovation and distort the EU market. An Oxford Economics report states that excluding Huawei could increase investment costs in 5G by up to tens of billions of euros," he said, while warning of that these additional costs will have to be paid by European consumers.

"Publicly singling out an individual entity as a High Risk Vendor (HRV) without legal basis goes against the principles of free trade. It is of the utmost importance to underline that the discriminatory assessment of HRV will not apply to any provider without due process and proper hearing. As an economic operator in the EU, Huawei has procedural and substantive rights and must be protected by EU and Member State laws as well as its international commitments," he added. the company.

In this context, the company has stressed that cybersecurity is "Huawei's main priority" and recalled that it has opened a cybersecurity transparency center in Brussels.

As the company has explained, this center is open to clients and independent third-party testing organizations, who are "invited" to carry out "fair, objective and independent security verifications" in accordance with recognized industry standards.

"We remain committed to offering globally trusted and certified products and services that connect millions of Europeans," added the Chinese company.

The European Commission assured this Thursday that it sees "absolutely justified" that several EU countries have decided to exclude the Chinese technology companies Huawei and ZTE from the deployment of their 5G networks, considering that they are providers that pose serious security risks. national.

"The Commission has published a communication confirming that the decision taken by certain Member States to restrict or completely exclude Huawei and ZTE from their 5G networks is absolutely justified and in line with the (Brussels) recommendations," said the Market Commissioner. Interior and Telecommunications Manager, Thierry Breton.

The French liberal avoided naming the "ten" EU governments that have already made the decision to veto the two Chinese companies as suppliers, but has called on the rest of the countries to take measures along the same lines to "replace high-risk providers" in their 5G networks and has invited the large operators to also "address" this need for relief.

Breton also said that the Community Executive, which, although it does not have powers in this area, has issued a series of recommendations for the Member States, will apply the same prerogatives in its own telecommunications contracting policy and program financing to "avoid exposure to Huawei and ZTE".

"We have been able to reduce or eliminate our dependence on other sectors such as energy in record time, when many thought it was impossible, and the situation with 5G should not be any different," Breton warned in statements to the press in Brussels, before to point out that the EU "cannot afford to retain critical dependencies that can become weapons" against its interests.

In this sense, he continued, not correcting the situation would be "too serious a vulnerability and too serious a risk to common security" and, therefore, Member States and operators must "take the necessary measures without further delay".