From 5G to NearLink: Europe’s Next Digital Dependency Risk
China’s self-reliance drive could soon create another “Huawei moment” for Europe. Brussels has the tools to avoid repeating, but it must act quickly.
A presentation on NearLink technology held during the 'Smart Connectivity Innovation Forum', November 7, 2025, in Shenzhen, China. Credit: C114
Less than a decade after Europe had to confront the risks of relying on Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese telecom equipment makers for its 5G networks, it is drifting into a new dependence that is more diffuse and harder to detect.
An M528H wireless communication module, used in smart appliances, uses NearLink technology. Credit: 如般微电子
NearLink (星闪, also known as SparkLink), China’s alternative to Bluetooth and WiFi, is entering Europe through imported smartphones, wearab
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