Tech Diplomacy Now: Huawei Remains Embedded in German Telecom Infrastructure
Five years after most advanced democracies began reducing their dependencies on Chinese telecommunications manufacturers, Germany is even more dependent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Top News of the Week
Announcements
Latest News
Technology Strategy and Policy
Artificial Intelligence
Telecommunications Networks and Infrastructure
Critical Minerals
Synthetic Biology
Quantum
Advanced Aerospace Technology
Semiconductors and Microelectronics
Energy and Climate
The Last Word
Top News of the Week – Huawei Remains Embedded in German Telecom Infrastructure
Five years after most advanced democracies began reducing their dependencies on Chinese telecommunications manufacturers, Germany is even more dependent.
At the end of 2020, before the build out of 5G networks, the German Interior Ministry discouraged telecom operators from relying on “high-risk companies” with the hopes that those non-binding guidelines would lead to less reliance on companies like Huawei and ZTE.
The opposite happened as German telecom operators used that time to work with Chinese vendors to install as much equipment as possible making it even more costly to replace. By the end of 2022, 59% of 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) boxes in Germany came from Chinese vendors. Telecom industry consulting firm Strand pointed out that by early 2023, Huawei enjoyed a higher market share in Berlin than in Beijing.
Back in September, Chairman Keith Krach made a notable appearance in Berlin at the Digital X conference. During his speech, Chairman Krach emphasized that prohibiting the use of Huawei and ZTE technologies would underscore Germany's dedication to safeguarding human dignity and reinforce its place among the world’s leading democracies.
Today, Germany’s telecommunications infrastructure is far less secure and its own telecom operators have made their business models dependent on equipment from sources that the German Government and the European Union label as “high risk.”
More background:
Transatlantic blame game: Trump, Merkel, Biden, and the danger of Germany’s dependence on Huawei – Politico, October 15, 2023
German proposal for Huawei curbs triggers telecom operator backlash – Reuters, September 20, 2023
Huawei, Denmark and A $200 Million Battle Over 5G – Bloomberg, June 19, 2023
Fragmenting technology – 6G mobile could divide the world – European Council on Foreign Relations, February 22, 2023
What Germany’s new cyber security law means for Huawei, Europe, and NATO – European Council on Foreign Relations, February 5, 2023
EU nudges Germany to cut down on Huawei – Politico, November 10, 2022
The EU toolbox for 5G security – European Commission, January 29, 2020
Announcements
TOMORROW, OCTOBER 19 at 10 a.m. ET, The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is proud to launch our inaugural Freedom Lecture Series at Purdue University. Join us in person (tickets) or via livestream for a conversation on emerging technologies and national security with U.S. Ambassador Nathaniel Fick, moderated by our chairman, and former U.S. Under Secretary of State, Keith Krach.
Seating is limited – in order to attend in person, you must register in advance.
REGISTER FOR THE LIVESTREAM HERE
ANNOUNCEMENT: Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, is set to take the stage at Proiectul Romania 2030. This year’s event is focused on The Power of Innovation: Rebuilding Trust, Crystalizing the Future. Michelle will delve into the pivotal role that trusted technology plays in promoting the progress of free and democratic societies.
Follow Michelle Giuda on LinkedIn for continued updates
Latest News
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Technology Strategy and Policy
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The party knows best: Aligning economic actors with China's strategic goals – MERICS, October 12, 2023
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Artificial Intelligence
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Telecommunications Networks and Infrastructure
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Apple’s compliance with China app rules plugs censorship loophole, creates new obstacles for developers – SCMP, October 15, 2023
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Utah sues TikTok, claiming app has harmful impact on children – Reuters, October 10, 2023
Critical Minerals
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In Alaska, a Road to Metals Needed for Clean Energy Could Also Cause Harm – NYTs, October 13, 2023
Mission Critical: Why The Globe is digging deep on critical minerals – Globe and Mail, October 13, 2023
Synthetic Biology
Scientists just drafted an incredibly detailed map of the human brain – MIT Technology Review, October 12, 2023
How gene editing could help curb the spread of bird flu – MIT Technology Review, October 10, 2023
Commission recommends carrying out risk assessments on four critical technology areas: advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnologies – European Commission, October 3, 2023
UK Government Seeks to Accelerate Approval of Cultivated Meat to Boost Food Security and Sustainability – Vegconomist, October 2, 2023
Quantum
The $1.2 billion case for quantum – Politico, October 12, 2023
The Importance of Reauthorizing and Funding the Quantum Initiative Act - Fagen Wasanni Technologies, October 12, 2023
The U.S. Approach to Quantum Policy – Center for Data Innovation, October 10, 2023
Advanced Aerospace Technology
Sorry, Elon! The Satellites of the Future Are Heading to Space Right Now – WSJ, October 13, 2023
America’s ‘Gold Standard’ GPS Risks Falling Behind Rival Systems – WSJ, October 14, 2023
Semiconductors and Microelectronics
US to Tighten Curbs on China’s Access to Advanced Chip Tech – Bloomberg, October 15, 2023
TSMC expects permanent U.S. approval to supply chip tools to its China factory – Reuters, October 13, 2023
Biden eyes adding AI chip curbs to Chinese companies abroad – Reuters, October 13, 2023
The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials – CNN, October 11, 2023
Taiwanese semiconductor suppliers target Europe’s next-generation factories – Financial Times, October 11, 2023
Energy and Climate
How AI could supercharge battery research – MIT Technology Review, October 12, 2023
U.S. transition to clean energy is happening faster than you think, reporter says – NPR, October 5, 2023
The Last Word
“When you have a competitor like Huawei, you could drive a stake into their heart, put them 10-feet underground, throw asphalt on them, and light them on fire — and they’ll still come back.”
- Keith Krach, Chairman of the Krach Institute for Technology at Purdue & Former U.S. Undersecretary of State, in Politico
About: Tech Diplomacy Now
The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is the world’s preeminent trusted technology accelerator. As the leader of the new category of Tech Diplomacy, the Institute integrates technology expertise, Silicon Valley strategies, and foreign policy tools to build the Global Trusted Tech Network of governments, companies, organizations and individuals to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology and ensure technology advances freedom.