EU 5G Networks Face €40 bn Vendor Replacement Cost as Huawei-ZTE Ban Could Raise Equipment Prices by 24%: GSMA

European telecom operators could face up to €40 billion in direct costs to remove designated high-risk vendors (HRVs) from telecom network under the proposed EU Cybersecurity Act (CSA2), according to a GSMA Intelligence study. The report warns that mandatory replacement of vendor equipment from Huawei and ZTE across 5G mobile, fixed and transport networks would significantly increase network investment costs, reduce vendor competition and slow future 5G deployment.