The European Union's 5G risk strategy is taking shape as its member states roll out the next-generation wireless networks.
Armed with feedback from the states, the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, or ENISA, will this week complete its EU-wide risk assessment. The report, to be published Oct. 1, examined the origin of cyberattacks and 5G's main vulnerabilities including those arising from its supply chain.
ENISA is tasked with tackling malicious and illegal cyber activity under the EU Cybersecurity Act passed in June.
The region's path to 5G regulation has seen it clash with the U.S. government, which wanted its European allies to follow its lead in blocking out Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. France, Germany and the U.K. have thus far resisted such calls from the White House, urging a holistic approach to 5G security that does not scapegoat any one supplier.
Nevertheless, telcos and regulators would welcome any clarity on whether Huawei is considered safe. The embattled Chinese company's core networking tech is embedded into existing systems that power 5G. U.K. telcos have said that completely removing Huawei's kit could take years and would be costly, slowing down 5G's rollout in the process.
Besides the new risk assessment, the EU also adopted the European Electronic Communications Code earlier this year with the aim of accelerating 5G development. The superfast networks have gone live in many European nations including the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany.
The final deadline for a 5G risk evaluation is 12 months away, when member states and the EC will assess the effectiveness of mitigating measures and decide whether further action is needed. The next milestone is Dec. 31 when Europe's Network and Information Systems Cooperation Group will "agree on a toolbox of mitigating measures to address the risks identified."
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Europe |
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| Oct. 1 |
The deadline for the EU bodies to complete a region-wide 5G risk assessment with input from individual member states. |
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| Oct. 1 |
Austrian sensor specialist ams AG's offer for lighting firm OSRAM Licht AG expires. |
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| Oct. 2 |
Europe's telecommunications industry body and leading telcos will discuss how the public's relationship with tech is changing at the "Delivering Consumer Value in Digital Times" debate in Brussels. |
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Oct. 3 |
Consumer tech trends from customer service chat bots to smart beauty products are on the agenda at the Digital Transformation Conference in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. | |
Stories of note:
Ams sweetens takeover bid for German lighting group Osram
UK's ARM to continue business with Huawei
Report: French lawmaker seeks profits disclosure from internet companies
Swiss watchdog approves Sunrise's acquisition of UPC Schweiz

