The cost of removing designated third-country vendors from EU telecoms networks

The cost of removing designated third-country vendors from EU telecoms networks

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Europe’s telecoms networks are undergoing a period of structural change. As digital infrastructure becomes increasingly central to key economic and social outcomes, policymakers are placing a greater emphasis on security and resilience.

A key development in this context is the European Commission’s proposal to strengthen cybersecurity requirements through an updated regulatory framework – Cybersecurity Act 2 (known as CSA2). This includes provisions that require the removal of critical equipment supplied by designated high-risk vendors (HRVs) from telecoms infrastructure within a defined timeframe.

The proposed measures would apply across both mobile and fixed networks, as well as associated transport infrastructure. If implemented, they would represent one of the most significant structural interventions in the European telecoms sector in decades.

While the policy objective to enhance network security is clearly defined, there is limited public evidence on the broader economic implications of such measures. GSMA Intelligence has conducted unique research to assess the cost of removing critical components from HRVs from European telecoms networks, with a view to providing a robust evidence base to support policy and industry discussions. The study is based on information provided by European telecoms operator groups to GSMA Intelligence. 

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The cost of removing designated third-country vendors from EU telecoms networks
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JULY 2026

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