European operators could reportedly be granted more time to strip out network equipment from so-called high-risk suppliers, following a European Commission (EC) proposal of a three-year phase-out period.

Reuters reported a document showed governments in the bloc asked for amendments to the EC proposal, calling for the phase-out period to be determined by numerous factors rather than a set date.

These include assessing risk levels, how long equipment lasts, compatibility needs and “the availability of suitable alternatives”, Reuters wrote.

Reuters reported member states would need to discuss the planned changes with politicians before enacting the Cybersecurity Act, which covers the equipment overhaul requirement.

De-risking
The EC proposed revisions to the Cybersecurity Act in January to account for increased risks to the bloc’s ICT supply chain posed by third-party suppliers, arguing the move would remove dangers posed to regional mobile networks.

The move is expected to impact Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE.

At the time, Huawei told Mobile World Live the move would violate basic EU legal principles and it would continue to provide “secure and trusted products and services”.

GSMA Intelligence estimated it would cost European operators €30 billion to €40 billion to replace the equipment involved.

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