EU Considers Action Against Huawei's Influence in Telecoms

In the late morning of Thursday, October 16, the new Huawei factory in Brumath, located about 20 kilometers north of Strasbourg, stood empty with no activity visible behind its vast glass windows. This site, which is set to begin production of 3G, 4G, and 5G antennas by early 2026, represents Huawei's ambition to expand its footprint in the European market.

However, the company is now considering abandoning this nearly three hundred million dollar project, reflecting its increasing struggles in the European telecommunications landscape. The European Commission is reportedly concerned about Huawei's substantial influence in Europe, echoing previous actions taken by the United States to exclude the Chinese telecom giant from its mobile networks based on safety concerns.

In light of these issues, the Commission is preparing to propose measures to member states and the European Parliament to potentially exclude Huawei from the continent's telecommunications networks. This proposal may coincide with the introduction of a revised cybercrime law, which is scheduled for presentation on January 20, 2026.

The implications of such actions could be profound, significantly affecting the telecommunications ecosystem in Europe, impacting various carriers and their ability to deploy 5G technology. The report indicates that the increasing scrutiny of Huawei is part of a broader effort to secure telecommunications infrastructure from perceived risks associated with foreign influence.

As Europe grapples with cybersecurity and the integrity of its telecom networks, the future of Huawei in the region remains highly uncertain, with the Commission's actions likely to dictate the course of 5G network rollouts and the competitive landscape in the telecom sector.