Romanian President is concerned about 5G technology

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday about 5G technology that in Romania “some are not worried enough” and this topic will have to be discussed in the Supreme Council of Country Defense. “Some of us are not worried enough. (…) They do not realize what is actually happening. I think we will have to discuss in The Supreme Council of National Defence too,” said Iohannis, in an informal meeting with the press. Asked if a CSAT meeting will be held soon, the head of state said it is possible. “We may have a discussion,” he said.

The specification comes in the context where 5G technology could enter the market even from the first months of next year, Romania preparing to launch the tender for 5G services, by the end of this year, and will allow access to all companies, including Huawei. “The auction will be open to everyone, including companies that use equipment from Huawei Technologies Co.,” said Alexandru Petrescu, The Minister of Communications and Telecommunications.

The implementation of 5G technology has triggered a global war of the big players in the field and the governments behind them. The United States has recently called on its allies not to appeal to the Chinese company Huawei accused of espionage through its infrastructure and equipment, for the introduction of revolutionary 5G technology. Huawei company rejected the allegations and sued the US government. The European Commission has not banned the use of Huawei devices, but in several countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, it is the governments that decide whether to introduce 5G technology through the equipment of the Chinese company. No decisions have yet been made in this regard.

EU countries are currently taking important steps to prepare for this process. For 2019, the bidding procedure for at least one frequency band is scheduled in 11 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Portugal. Six other tenders are scheduled for 2020 in Spain, Malta, Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland and the United Kingdom.