The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has pledged up to €800 million ($822 million) in loans to support a major German telecom company’s 5G development, Kyodo News reported.

The JBIC-led financing will benefit United Internet AG, a German telecom provider, and involve Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. I Photo: United Internet AG
The funding is part of an effort to help Germany reduce its reliance on Chinese technology.
The agreement, finalized late last month, supports Germany’s initiative to phase out Huawei and ZTE components from its 5G network by 2029 due to national security concerns.
The JBIC-led financing will benefit United Internet AG, a German telecom provider, and involve Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology, which standardizes connection points for equipment from multiple suppliers.
This approach contrasts with reliance on a single vendor.
The project incorporates software developed by a subsidiary of Japan’s Rakuten Group Inc., which specializes in e-commerce and mobile communications.
JBIC emphasized that the initiative would enhance Germany’s telecom infrastructure, providing a secure environment for Japanese businesses operating in the country to manage confidential information.
Of the total funding, JBIC will contribute €300 million—the largest share—while guaranteeing portions of the co-financed loans provided by private financial institutions. These include Germany’s Commerzbank AG, France’s BNP Paribas, Britain’s HSBC, and Japan’s Mizuho Bank and MUFG Bank, which are also participating in the funding effort.
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