EU Plans to Phase Out High Risk Telecom Suppliers, Targeting China

LONDON, Jan. 20, 2026 (AP) — The European Union said Tuesday it plans to phase out gear supplied by companies based in “high risk” countries from critical infrastructure such as high-speed telecom networks, in a move seen as targeting Chinese companies including Huawei and ZTE.

Brussels' proposed measures to tighten up cybersecurity come amid rising concerns that the bloc's 27 member countries are vulnerable both to the dominance of Chinese high tech manufacturing and U.S. Big Tech services.

Under the draft legislation released by the EU's executive commission, telecom equipment from so-called high risk suppliers in third countries would be phased out within three years.