Germany does not want to ban Huawei from 5G networks: Minister – Reuters

What happened: On Thursday, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier revealed on a local television talk show that the government has no plan to exclude any company, including Huawei, from upcoming 5G network auction. Berlin plans to instead update its laws to ensure the security of all equipment used in the country’s 5G networks and compliance with customer data protection regulations.

Why its important: Altmaier’s statement was the latest in a series of twists and turns in the race to 5G. Governments are shifting their attitudes towards the world’s largest telecom equipment company. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in late February that Huawei may still have role in the country’s 5G plan if risks can be mitigated, despite the fact that the government turned down a proposal from a local carrier to use Huawei gear. The Shenzhen-based tech company is also fighting back against the security allegations by suing the US government. China’s Foreign Ministry reacted to the lawsuit, saying that Huawei’s legal actions are “totally legitimate and understandable.”

Jill Shen is Shanghai-based technology reporter. She covers Chinese mobility, autonomous vehicles, and electric cars. Connect with her via e-mail: jill.shen@technode.com or Twitter: @yushan_shen

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