Huawei faces a big blow as KPN goes with western supplier for 5G network

Taking into account the changing insights regarding the protection of vital infrastructure, KPN, a leading supplier of telecommunications and IT and market leader in the Netherlands, announced today that it will select a western supplier for the construction of a critical mobile core for 5G and will not use Huawei-made equipment from its existing core mobile telecommunications network.

KPN will renew both the mobile core network and the mobile radio and antenna network as it prepares for rapid modernization of mobile networks to 5G. However, the company said it has signed a provisional agreement with the Chinese technology giant Huawei for the mobile radio and antenna network that can be adjusted or reversed to bring it into line with future Dutch government policy.

"For the modernization of its networks, KPN takes into account the changing insights with regard to the protection of vital infrastructure and the possible influence of this on future Dutch policy. In this context, KPN has decided to further tighten the security policy for fixed and mobile network providers," the company said in a press release.

The Hague-based company is currently looking at all parts of its fixed and mobile network with which suppliers it can best achieve its network ambitions, in accordance with its multi-vendor policy. KPN aims to become the 'digital highway of the Netherlands' and a future-proof, high-quality, lean telecommunications company with strong premium consumer and business relationships in the upcoming years.