The United States has lobbied Italy and other European allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in their next-generation networks and to closely scrutinize rival ZTE, saying the companies could pose a security risk. Both companies have strongly denied there is any such risk and the US has not offered evidence.
Minister Stefano Patuanelli (pictured), part of the ruling 5-Star Movement, told La Stampa daily that “We have passed legislation that guarantees national security. With the right defences, the possibility of (Huawei’s) access is not up for debate.”
Italy’s biggest phone group Telecom Italia (TIM) is in the process of choosing suppliers to upgrade its network infrastructure and Huawei is among possible contenders.
Patuanelli said: “Huawei offers the best solutions at the best prices. One cannot fly the flag of the market with one hand and that of protectionism with the other.”
