Germany's interior ministry has proposed forcing telecom operators to curb their use of equipment made by China's Huawei and ZTE, a government official said on Wednesday, sparking warnings of likely disruption and possible legal action.
The interior ministry wants to impose the changes to 5G networks after a review highlighted Germany's reliance on the two Chinese suppliers, as Berlin reassesses its relationship with a country it dubs both a partner and a systemic rival.
Telecom operators swiftly criticized the proposals, while Huawei Germany rejected what it called the "politicization" of cyber security in the country.