Italian telecoms lobby group argues against more 5G red tape

Italy’s telecoms industry association Asstel has hit out at government plans to introduce more red tape surrounding telco 5G rollout plans. Authorities in Rome want operators to submit detailed annual development plans for 5G, including specific details of equipment to be used. This is to ensure strict monitoring of the source of equipment, with a view to limiting the participation of Chinese vendors on national security grounds, without imposing a full ban. According to Reuters, Asstel says this risks causing delays to deployments, with operators unable to submit a deployment plan until equipment contracts are signed.