By Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The German government and mobile phone carriers have agreed in principle on steps to phase components by Chinese technology companies out of the nation’s 5G wireless network over the next five years, a group of German media outlets reported on Wednesday.
Newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung as well as broadcasters NDR and WDR said in a joint report that the agreement gives network operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefonica Deutschland more time to replace critical parts, without specifying its sources.
Under the pact driven by security considerations, operators will initially rid the nation’s core network of 5G data centres of technology made by companies such as Huawei and ZTE in 2026, later than initially envisaged.
In a second phase, the role of Chinese makers’ parts for antennas, transmission lines and towers should be all but eliminated by 2029, later than a previously discussed 2026 deadline, the report added.
When asked to comment, Germany’s interior ministry told Reuters that the government’s talks with mobile carriers are ongoing.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke, Editing by Rachel More)
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