According to a media report, the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei may supply components for setting up the German 5G network. The federal government will not exclude Huawei from the network structure, reports the "Handelsblatt", citing the current draft Federal Network Agency on the security requirements for telecommunications networks.
Back in February, government officials had agreed to SPIEGEL information on an amendment to the Telecommunications Act, in which there was no clause that Huawei would block the market access. The "Handelsblatt" now reports that the decision should be published in the coming days and then be discussed with companies and associations.
According to the newspaper, especially an intervention by the Chancellery should have prevented a sharper version of the requirements. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) fear a rift with China, it said in government circles.
Huawei is one of the world's leading network equipment suppliers and a pioneer in the new 5G mobile communications standard. The USA, in particular, accuses the company of being too close to the Chinese government and warn of the danger of espionage and sabotage. Huawei rejects this.
The decision that Huawei may now also supply components for the German 5G network, met with the SPD on criticism. The SPD foreign politician Nils Schmid told the "Handelsblatt" that it was "a serious mistake to integrate Huawei into the 5G network".