The European Union (EU) is currently grappling with the decision of whether to ban companies deemed a security risk from their 5G networks. In the midst of this debate, Huawei, the company most affected by the possible ban, is receiving funding from the EU for research into future technologies. According to a Financial Times report, Huawei has been granted approximately €3.89 million under the Horizon Europe research program, covering areas such as 6G, AI, and cloud computing.
As the EU’s flagship research and innovation initiative, Horizon Europe is set to receive €12.8 billion in funding in the 2024 EU budget, out of a total proposed allocation of €13.6 billion for research and innovation. The bulk of the Horizon Europe funds are dedicated to collaborative projects, with Huawei reportedly providing AI platforms and infrastructure equipment.
The EU is concerned that some member countries, particularly Germany, have been slow to curb the use of “high-risk” vendors that could pose a security threat. A European Commission spokesperson confirmed that they will soon present their second 5G toolbox review, and it is anticipated that several countries and possibly operators will be named in the report.
In response to the situation, analyst Paolo Pescatore stated that any tightening of Germany’s position “would be the nail in the coffin for Huawei in Europe.”
As 5G implementation continues to be a hot topic among telecommunications enthusiasts, VoIP engineers, IT professionals, and technology early adopters, the future of vendors such as Huawei remains uncertain, making it even more important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments.
