Finland to Exclude Huawei from Networks

Finland, home of Nokia, is set to pass a law that could exclude Huawei from networks as it announced on Monday, its plans to introduce a new law which could see Chinese telecommunications equipment excluded from the nation's networks. It follows Finland's minister of transport and communications, Timo Harakka, stating the country would not directly be banning Huawei equipment with the law, according to Sky news.

Meanwhile, Huawei’s Head of Public Affairs Hennariikka Andersson explained that the Finnish law, is “fair and objective,” with “a more realistic approach focusing on equipment instead of vendors.

Hennariikka added; ''It’s unfortunate that the international network-security debate has focused only on Chinese vendors when we know that vulnerabilities may be found in all manufacturers’ equipment.''

Moreover, the move is unusual due both to Finland's neutral status outside of NATO, and the exposure of the country's largest company, Nokia, to reprisals from China.

Earlier, Sweden announced that it banned equipment from Chinese telecommunication firms Huawei and ZTE from its new 5G network, joining other European nations that have restricted the role of Chinese suppliers.

According to the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), the setting of the licence conditions followed assessments by the Swedish Armed Forces and security service, which called China one of the biggest threats against Sweden.

Also, Huawei and ZTE equipment already installed will have to be removed by 1 January 2025, PTS reported. The new installations in the central functions for the radio use of the frequency bands must be carried out without Huawei or ZTE suppliers, the Swedish authority reported in a press release.

The development shows European countries tightening restrictions on Chinese suppliers for their 5G infrastructure, signaling the US government’s campaign to eliminate Huawei equipment from Western communications networks is gaining traction.