Sweden blocks Chinese tech giants from 5G infrastructure
ZTE and Huawei have been brought into question in other parts of Europe as rival firms allege they have close links to China's military.
Operators bidding for frequencies in Sweden's 5G networks have been banned from using equipment from Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei, a government agency said on Tuesday.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said the four firms selected were Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sweden and Teracom, a partnership between Swedish telecommunications firm Tele 2 and Norway's Telenor.
The first auction was set to open on 10 November.
The PTS said the firms had been selected in accordance with legislation that entered into force on 1 January.
The Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service were consulted "to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Sweden's security."
ZTE and Huawei questioned
ZTE and Huawei have been brought into question in other parts of Europe as rival firms allege they have close links to China's military.
If existing infrastructure for central functions is to be used to provide services in the relevant frequency bands, products from Huawei and ZTE must be phased out latest by 1 January 2025, the PTS said.
The PTS added that "if central functions are dependant of staff or functions placed in foreign countries," this must be phased out by January 1, 2025 and replaced with staff based in Sweden.