STOCKHOLM: Sweden is banning equipment from Chinese telecommunication firms Huawei and ZTE from its new 5G network.

The ban is to “ensure that the use of frequencies does not endanger the security of Sweden,” said the Swedish Telecom Authority (PTS).

The authority added that Huawei and ZTE equipment already installed will have to be removed by 1 January 2025, Euro News reported.

The announcement comes after Sweden’s armed forces and security services made an assessment of telecommunications network tenders.

Sweden’s decision follows the lead of the UK, who decided to ban Huawei from involvement in its 5G network in July.

(With inputs from agencies)