Nokia said on Thursday it had launched a judicial defense against Romania’s decision by the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) to ban it from selling 5G technology in the country.
“We can confirm that in February the Romanian government rejected our authorization to supply the country with 5G infrastructure equipment,” Nokia said in a statement. Legal proceedings have been initiated.”
Nokia has not disclosed more details, and a Romanian government spokesman has not yet commented. According to TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, so-called “5G security” legislation, mobile operators must remove unauthorized vendors’ core network technology within five years of the decision taking effect, and seven years for other equipment and software.
This authorization is granted by the Prime Minister within four months from the date of the request, subject to the approval decision of the CSAT. Nokia’s official website shows that it does list Romanian operator Digi as a partner in its commercial 5G plans.
Reuters noted that Romania’s centrist government approved a U.S.-backed bill last year that effectively barred Huawei from participating in the development of its 5G network.