Trends

Telefónica 5G: Huawei deal renewed in Spain until 2030

Telefónica 5G Huawei deal in Spain renewed to 2030 despite EU pressure on Chinese vendors.

Telefónica 5g-Huawei deal-Spain

Headline

Telefónica 5G Huawei deal in Spain renewed to 2030 despite EU pressure on Chinese vendors.

Context

• The contract renewal covers the 5G user-plane core network for residential customers and extends Huawei’s role until 2030. • In parallel, Telefónica has awarded its enterprise and government core network contract to Nokia, advancing a multi-vendor approach to balance cost and security.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

With the goal to continue offering equipment for its 5G core network, which serves retail (residential) prospects in Spain, Telefónica extended its contract with Chinese vendor Huawei in late 2024, extending it until 2030. In early 2025, the operator separately provided Finnish company Nokia to provide 5G core equipment for its enterprise and government services, further strengthening the split-supplier model.Meanwhile, Telefónica’s Chief Operating Officer, Emilio Gayo, has stated that the company is “reducing its exposure to Huawei” in Spain in order to conform with European Union recommendations advising operators to phase out Huawei gear due to security concerns. Unlike several EU countries (such as Germany) that have implemented outright bans on Huawei for 5G infrastructure, Spain has not formally restricted the vendor, enabling this contract to proceed within the bounds of national regulation. Also Read: Private 5G Push by NTT DATA and Eurofiber Also Read: Verizon, Nokia power private 5G rollout across Thames Freeport This renewal demonstrates Telefónica’s practical approach to telecommunications, which takes into account both cost-effectiveness and changes in geopolitics. Telefónica gets competitive pricing by retaining Huawei for the consumer get while reducing risk through diversification with Nokia for more delicate business and governmental tasks.

Key Points

  • What happened:Contract details and vendor split
  • Why it’s important

Actions

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Author

jessie.chen