T-Mobile removes Huawei from cell towers, core network ‘will follow later’

Replacing Huawei with Ericsson is part of revamping the radio and antenna network, reports T-MobileIt is not known how much money was involved in the deal. The provider says it will take two to three years for Huawei to be replaced from the network edge.

Huawei equipment that T-Mobile is currently using there will be phased out as it needs to be replaced, a spokesperson for the telecom company said. “We’re not getting rid of equipment that’s still good now.”

Network core

It will therefore bid farewell to Huawei as a supplier in the years to come. Also in the network core. But how long it will take is unclear. A T-Mobile spokesman did not have an answer to that question.

Huawei has quickly fallen into disrepute in recent years over fears of possible espionage for the Chinese government. Of all the providers in the Netherlands, T-Mobile uses Huawei equipment the most.

No core equipment

In the Netherlands, Huawei – just like in many other countries – is banned by the government, although the company is under policy never mentionedAccording to the government, only goods from trusted suppliers that are ‘not under the influence of malicious parties’ can be used in key parts of the network.

And with that, Huawei was de facto removed from the network core. At the network end, the providers themselves can decide which supplier they choose.

The telecommunications company will be notified in a confidential decision about the equipment of concern. The government has not communicated about how much time providers have for this.

However, as a result of the decision, it turns out that Huawei is no longer supplying 5G core equipment to a Dutch telecommunications companyright

Vodafone no longer has the stuff from Huawei at the core of the network. KPN will remove those things from the network, like T-Mobile, but will still use Huawei’s 5G antenna.

Huawei ban

Huawei is controversial in many western countries. Politicians and critics worry that the Chinese government could spy on or even sabotage it through Huawei.

Evidence for this was never provided. But politicians want to rule out the dangers. That’s why Huawei has been banned from networks in some countries, such as in Sweden and the UK.

Rebecca Burke

"Coffee trailblazer. Analyst. General music geek. Bacon maven. Devoted organizer. Incurable internet ninja. Entrepreneur."

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