Chinese State owned company Huawei was unaware of Portugal´s new 5G guidelines that in effect ban its network equipment, and recalls its role in developing the European country´s tech sector.
The Portuguese government on Monday clarified to Lusa that the Security Assessment Committee’s conclusions on the risk of using 5G equipment may result in its exclusion or application of restrictions and it is up to telecoms regulator Anacom to enforce the deliberation.
The office of the secretary of state for digitalisation and administrative modernisation said that, taking into account the conclusions, these may result in the exclusion, application of restrictions or termination of use of equipment or services.
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“It is important to bear in mind that the conclusions of the risk assessment carried out by the Security Assessment Committee take into consideration the specific risks of using equipment in the various asset groups that comprise the 5G networks considered for this purpose, and may consist in the exclusion, application of restrictions on the use or termination of use of equipment or services in some of these asset groups, but not necessarily in all of them or equally”, clarifies Mário Campolargo’s office.
It also adds that “the Security Assessment Committee’s deliberation taken based on the risk assessment carried out must be complied with and enforced by Anacom [the national communications regulator] within the period granted for this purpose”, according to article 62 of Law 16/2022, of 16 August, which approves the Electronic Communications Law (LCE).
“The content of the resolution taken following the risk assessment was classified at the grade Reserved of the national label because its content contemplates information whose knowledge or disclosure by unauthorised persons may contend with the high interests of the country and economic agents,” the office points out.
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Also contacted by Lusa, Huawei says it knows that “the Portuguese government has published information regarding the risk assessment of telecommunications networks,” but that the company “had no prior knowledge of the publication and is seeking to gather more information from the relevant authorities regarding the nature of this assessment.”
It recalls that “over two decades, Huawei has worked with Portuguese operators to develop communications networks and provide high quality services that serve millions of people”, and that “Huawei has been several times recognised by the Portuguese government, as well as by public and private entities, for its role in the creation of qualified employment, innovation capacity and contribution to innovation and digital transition, having invested more than one million euros in training digital talent”.
In this sense, “we will continue to comply with the Law and regulations in force, in order to serve consumers and Portuguese companies that rely on our products and services”, concludes the company.
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Portugal’s cybersecurity authorities have established new 5G guidelines that in effect ban network equipment manufactured by China´s Huawei.
The guidelines ban telecommunications operators from using equipment supplied by companies outside the EU, or from states that don’t belong to NATO or the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, according to multiple media reports.
The government’s Higher Council for Cyberspace Security said companies in such countries were now viewed as a “high risk” to the security of national networks.
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No deadline was given for the removal of non-compliant equipment from the 5G network, but the move will be a blow to Chinese companies like Huawei, which has been working with local operators.
Last August, Portugal passed a law empowering the government to determine “the exclusion, restrictions on use, or the cessation of use of equipment or services” of telecom companies.
Portugal’s Jornal Económico said the latest ban was very far reaching and that “Western tech companies that rely on Chinese suppliers, such as Nokia and Ericsson, could in theory also be excluded from 5G networks”.
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The news outlet also drew attention to “the consequences that could result from it for relations between Portugal and China”. Beijing is one of Portugal’s biggest investors.
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