Germany looks to ban Huawei from 5G

The German government is considering banning Huawei from providing 5G equipment in the country saying security concerns are of “high relevance.”

A German newspaper reported on Thursday that Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration is actively considering ways to exclude Huawei from the country’s 5G networks. The decision would mark a shift from Germany, which has been less vocal than its Western allies, including the U.S. and the U.K., about Huawei security concerns.

Huawei is facing mounting fears that its 5G technology will enable Chinese espionage through the super-fast mobile networks. Both Australia and New Zealand have banned the telecommunications giant from supplying 5G equipment in their countries citing security concerns.

Huawei said in a statement Thursday evening, “we also welcome the approach of verification and standardization of technological solutions publicly communicated by the German Federal Government.”

“We see no rational reason to exclude Huawei from building the 5G infrastructure in any country in the world,” the statement said.

Also on Thursday, the University of Oxford said it would no longer accept new donations and sponsorships to fund research from Huawei.

Huawei's business has so far proved resilient, with more than $100 billion in revenue expected in 2018.

The U.K. has been weighing a ban on Huawei 5G equipment with Britain’s defense minister reportedly citing “grave concerns” over security. Meanwhile, U.K. telecom firm BT has said Huawei will not be able to provide 5G infrastructure on its networks.

On Thursday, China's ambassador to Canada warned of "repercussions" if the country banned the company from its 5G network.

The two countries are embroiled in a diplomatic row.

A court in China this month sentenced a Canadian to death for drug smuggling in a ruling that comes after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, a top official at Huawei and its founder's daughter, on a request from the US.

Meng was released on a 10 million Canadian dollars ($7.5 million) bail on Dec. 11 and remains in Vancouver, where she must wear an ankle monitor and comply with an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.