EU Commission looking to speed up 5G defence from foreign interference

The European Commission will explore ways to speed up the implementation and enforcement of 5G security measures taken by member states to protect critical communication networks from foreign interference, the EU’s Commissioner for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen said at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday.

“5G security is high on our agenda, critical communication cannot be compromised,” Virkkunen said. “The EU will explore ways to speed up the implementation and enforcement of the 5G toolbox. We should also build on this approach for other technologies,” she added.

In 2020 the Commission adopted a so-called 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox to protect 5G networks from cyber threats and risks. EU member states agreed to apply restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk – such as China’s Huawei and ZTE – including necessary exclusions, following security concerns.

Euronews reported last year that fewer than half the 27 EU member states have used legal powers to impose restrictions on such telecom suppliers. Besides bans, most EU countries did put rules in place to restrict providers: 21 have adopted rules and three have legislation pending. This allows national authorities to restrict or prevent suppliers considered high-risk for 5G networks, when deemed necessary.

Huawei has consistently denied allegations of spying and Chinese state connections.

Virkkunen said at her confirmation at the European Parliament in November that she was dissatisfied with the extent to which national governments have excluded so-called high-risk telecom infrastructure companies from critical infrastructure. 

In February, Virkkunen presented a communication to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables, following recent incidents in the Baltic Sea where undersea telecoms cable were attacked.