After United Kingdom, Sweden bans Huawei from upcoming 5G networks

Sweden on Tuesday announced that it has bannedthe use of telecom equipment from China's Huaweifrom upcoming 5G networks.

The announcement comes as a major setback for the company that was banned in the United Kingdom earlier in July.

The ban is in line with new legislation that entered into force in January 2020, following an examination by the Swedish armed forces and security service "to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Sweden's security," the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority said in a statement.

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European governments have been reviewing the role of Chinese companies in building their networks following pressure from the United States, which says they pose a security threat because, among other concerns, Chinese companies and citizens must by law aid the state in intelligence gathering.

The United Kingdom in July ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from Britain’s 5G network by 2027, becoming one of the first European countries to do so.

Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision by Sweden.

PTS said companies taking part in the auction must remove Huawei and ZTE gear from existing central functions by Jan. 1 2025.

The regulator defined central functions as equipment used to build the radio access network, the transmission network, the core network and the service and maintenance of the network.

PTS said the licence conditions were decided to address the assessments made by the armed forces and security service.