German 5G Networks Tied to China Raise NATO Fears
32 NATO allies and partner nations will gather for the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague. More than 9,000 attendees, including 45 heads of state, 90 ministers, and thousands of delegates, are expected. The agenda will focus on future defence cooperation and increased military spending.
For telecommunications providers, especially those operating in Europe, the Summit clarifies strategic priorities and sharpens the divide between those aligned with NATO’s security goals and those likely to be excluded due to supplier choices.
Military integration of 5G: from civilian to strategic asset
NATO’s experimentation with cutting-edge 5G technologies is transforming the military-telecoms relationship. As Warren Low, Digital Backbone Programme Manager at NATO Allied Command Transformation, stated:
“5th Generation mobile telecommunications technologies were developed to provide transformational opportunities in the civilian sector, but they also have the potential for military applications.”
It was demonstrated during the “Digital Backbone Experimentation 2024” (DiBaX), led by NATO and the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
The initiative showcased 5G and satellite communications, enabling real-time, interoperable multi-domain operations and technologies central to NATO’s future force readiness.
Exercises in real-world defence scenarios
Joint Viking 2025, a major NATO exercise in Arctic Norway, involved more than 10,000 troops from nine allied nations. Telecoms infrastructure played a pivotal role. Real-time battlefield data was delivered over commercial 5G networks, reinforcing how national mobile operators can support defence missions.
Strand Consult has highlighted Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish operators as leaders in this space. They work with their defence ministries to deploy 5G slicing and secure logistics.
The growing collaboration is part of a broader trend. The US$926bn “ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030” plan is expected to further integrate commercial telecoms infrastructure into defence readiness initiatives.
Security standards create a divided market
However, not all operators will benefit. NATO’s procurement policies and the EU’s 5G Toolbox require suppliers to use “trusted” network equipment. That excludes Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE and operators that rely on them.
“Operators that have chosen to use equipment from suppliers like Huawei and ZTE are unlikely to meet the security requirements,” Strand Consult notes.
Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and the Baltic states have fully transitioned to trusted 5G infrastructure. Others, notably Germany, remain heavily reliant on Chinese vendors—raising red flags for NATO cooperation.
Strand Consult’s mapping of European mobile infrastructure reveals stark contrasts. In Germany, 59% of 5G RAN equipment still comes from Huawei and ZTE. None of the country’s national mobile networks are free from untrusted vendors.
The reality affects critical operations. As Strand Consult noted:
“Neither the German military, NATO, nor the 35,000 US troops currently stationed in Germany can access a commercial network that isn’t built on technology from Chinese suppliers.”
Strategic consequences of supplier choices
The NATO Summit expects to reinforce the security-first approach. Mobile operators using untrusted technology may be excluded from defence contracts, interoperability trials, and future procurement rounds.
In contrast, those who comply with EU and NATO security guidelines will gain a competitive edge, leveraging their compliance as a market differentiator for governments and enterprises seeking secure communications.
Policymaker Thierry Breton has confirmed this direction: “The EU will limit procurement of telecom services from operators that don’t comply with the 5G Toolbox.”
Beyond contracts, operators using insecure networks may be unable to partner with trusted AI and defence tech providers such as Thales, Palantir and Shield AI.
Telecoms at the crossroads of geopolitics
Strand Consult highlights the broader implications. China has formed open alliances with Russia, North Korea and Iran, all countries hostile to NATO interests. At the same time, cyber campaigns linked to China are targeting European critical infrastructure.
Telecom providers can no longer afford to view security as a matter of compliance alone; it is now integral to national strategy, defence policy, and international trust.
The upcoming Summit is a defining moment. Operators aligned with NATO security standards may find new opportunities, while those aligned with adversarial suppliers may face growing isolation.
As NATO focuses on secure communications, mobile operators must decide where they stand. The choice has never been clearer or more consequential.
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