France Says It’s Not Banning Huawei Though Phase Out Started

  • Waiver system effectively deters operators from using Huawei
  • But French officials dismiss talk of a ban as just speculation

A French national flag hangs near the Huawei Technologies France SASU offices in Paris.

Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

France is seeking to assure China that it isn’t banning Chinese telecom equipment supplier Huawei Technologies Co. from participating in its fifth-generation mobile roll-out, even after announcing new security regulations that may effectively do just that.

The head of the country’s cybersecurity agency said this month it will grant time-limited waivers on 5G for wireless operators that use Huawei products, a decision that will likely begin a “phasing out” of the company’s products.