Meo seeks extension on Huawei equipment removal deadline in Portugal (eco.sapo.pt)

• Meo CEO asks to align equipment swap with lifecycle, pending new cybersecurity assessment.
• New Commission must reassess high-risk vendor ban by end of September 2026.
• Meo has already sued state for €81.7 million compensation over Huawei exclusion.

"Meo CEO Ana Figueiredo has requested more time to replace Huawei equipment in the operator's networks, citing a new cybersecurity legal framework (NIS2 transposition) that opens a window to reassess the 2023 state decision banning certain high-risk vendors. The new Security Assessment Commission must issue a fresh evaluation by September 30, 2026. Meo, which already contracted Nokia for the swap in 2024, argues that the replacement timeline should align with equipment lifecycle, especially for less critical zones. The operator filed a €81.7 million lawsuit against the state for compensation."