A PYMNTS Company

EU Commission Pushes for Huawei, ZTE Exclusion Under New Cybersecurity Rules

By  |  May 4, 2026
Huawei

The European Commission has recommended that member states exclude equipment made by Huawei and ZTE from local telecom operators’ connectivity infrastructure, a Commission spokesperson said on Monday. The recommendation comes as the European Union moves toward stricter cybersecurity measures aimed at protecting critical communications systems across the bloc, according to Reuters.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Under the proposed cybersecurity rules, the EU would gain broader authority to restrict or ban the use of equipment supplied by companies considered “high-risk” within the bloc’s telecom networks, per Reuters. The spokesperson told reporters during a briefing in Brussels that the new framework would give the EU the possibility to block such equipment from the European market.

    Read more: EU Weighs Legal Measures to Phase Out Huawei and ZTE from Telecom Networks

    Officials say the initiative is designed to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure, particularly as European countries continue expanding next-generation connectivity technologies. According to Reuters, the recommendation does not amount to an immediate bloc-wide ban, but it does signal the direction Brussels wants national governments and telecom operators to take.

    The move has already drawn criticism from China. Beijing last week warned it could take countermeasures against the European Union if the proposed cybersecurity rules are enforced, arguing the measures are “discriminatory,” according to Reuters.

    Source: Reuters