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| Huawei ban on 5G equipment sales in Sweden continues |
A Swedish court has upheld Huawei's ban on selling 5G devices in the country, dashed hopes of the Chinese company returning to Europe and raising the possibility of Chinese retaliation against Ericsson.
Due to security concerns from SAPO, Swedish telecommunications regulator PTS Huawei unexpectedly banned the delivery of 5G devices to Swedish mobile operators in October. The Chinese company appealed this decision in court.
The court said in a statement that Sweden's security is very important, and the Administrative Court considers that only the Security Police and the Armed Forces are able to fully understand the security situation and threats in Sweden.
Huawei said it is reviewing its options. "This is expected because the court's findings are mainly based on Sabo's assumptions," Kenneth Frederickson, executive vice president for the Middle East and North Europe at Huawei, told Reuters. We will continue to fight for the right to enter the Swedish market.
Huawei ban continues
Under diplomatic pressure from Washington, European governments have beefed up oversight of Chinese companies building 5G networks, and Washington has claimed that Beijing could use Huawei equipment for espionage activities. Huawei denies this poses a national security risk.
Romania is the latest country to effectively ban Chinese companies from participating in the development of the country's 5G telecom network.
Huawei's problems helped companies like Nokia and Ericsson gain market share in Europe.
Samsung has also entered the African continent by signing an agreement with UK telecommunications group Vodafone as a supplier of 5G network equipment.
Beijing previously reacted angrily by describing Huawei as a security threat. She had asked Sweden to correct the mistake of banning the company immediately. And he tacitly warned this month that he could retaliate against Ericsson.
An Ericsson spokesman said the trade ruling could negatively impact Sweden's economic interests and Swedish industry. Including Ericsson's interests.
10% of Ericsson's revenue comes from China, and the company has raised concerns about a Huawei ban. She stressed the risk of losing market share in China.