EU Plan to Phase Out High-Risk Tech Draws Fire From China’s Huawei

/in /tarafından

The European Union plans to phase out components and equipment from so-called high-risk technology suppliers in critical sectors, under proposed revisions to the EU Cybersecurity Act that have drawn sharp criticism from Huawei.

The draft proposal, released by the European Commission, aims to strengthen protections against rising cyber and ransomware attacks, foreign interference and espionage risks, while reducing Europe’s dependence on non-EU technology providers. Although the Commission did not name specific companies or countries, Huawei is widely expected to be among those affected.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the measures would improve security of critical ICT supply chains and bolster Europe’s technological sovereignty. The new rules would apply to 18 key sectors, including telecom networks, cloud services, semiconductors, energy systems, medical devices, drones and connected vehicles.

Under the proposal, mobile operators would have 36 months after publication of a high-risk supplier list to phase out key components. Additional timelines for fixed and satellite networks will be set later. Any restrictions would follow formal risk assessments and market impact studies.

Huawei said excluding suppliers based on country of origin rather than technical evidence violates EU legal principles and World Trade Organization obligations, echoing criticism from China’s foreign ministry. Industry group Connect Europe warned the measures could impose billions of euros in extra costs. The proposal must still be negotiated with EU governments and the European Parliament before becoming law.

Gates and OpenAI Team Up for AI Health Push in African Countries

/in /tarafından

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI have launched a $50 million partnership to help African countries deploy artificial intelligence to strengthen health systems amid sharp cuts to international aid. The initiative, called Horizon1000, will work with national leaders to identify priority use cases, beginning with Rwanda.

Announcing the plan, Bill Gates said AI could be a “gamechanger” for countries facing severe shortages of health workers and infrastructure. Speaking in Davos, he said innovation is needed to reverse setbacks following aid reductions that coincided with the first rise in preventable child deaths this century. The Gates Foundation estimates global development assistance for health fell by nearly 27% last year.

Horizon1000 aims to reach 1,000 primary health clinics and surrounding communities by 2028. The focus is expected to include maternal health and HIV care, using AI to provide guidance before clinic visits, bridge language gaps, reduce paperwork, and better connect patient records. Rwanda’s ICT minister Paula Ingabire said responsible AI use can ease burdens on healthcare workers while improving quality and access. Gates added that AI could cut visit times roughly in half while delivering better care.

European Telcos to Get Unlimited Radio Spectrum Under EU Draft Law

/in /tarafından

Europe’s telecom operators are set to gain long-term certainty under a new European Commission proposal that would allow radio spectrum licences to be used for an unlimited duration, marking a major shift in the bloc’s telecom policy. The draft law, known as the Digital Networks Act, is part of a broader overhaul of telecom rules that will require approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.

Under the proposal, spectrum licences would become renewable by default, replacing the current minimum 20-year term. The Commission said the move would increase predictability and encourage investment across the 27-country European Union, particularly as it pursues full fibre broadband coverage between 2030 and 2035. A senior official described unlimited spectrum licensing as a strong signal that the sector is worth sustained investment.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said resilient digital infrastructure is critical to Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and digital sovereignty. The Commission will also outline common rules on licence duration, auction conditions, and pricing to guide national regulators.

However, the proposal stopped short of meeting telecom operators’ long-standing demand that Big Tech contribute directly to network rollout costs. Instead, the Act introduces a voluntary cooperation mechanism between telecom groups and major platforms such as Google, Netflix, and Meta Platforms. Governments may also be allowed to extend the 2030 deadline for replacing copper networks with fibre if more time is needed.