MADRID, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Telefonica renewed a

contract with Chinese manufacturer Huawei to supply

equipment for its 5G mobile core network for retail customers in

Spain until 2030, El Pais newspaper reported on Thursday, citing

unnamed industry sources.

Telefonica renewed that contract in late 2024 and, in early

2025, it awarded to rival manufacturer Nokia a

contract for 5G core for its service to companies and government

institutions, El Pais said.

Telefonica's Chief Operating Officer Emilio Gayo told

Reuters last month that the company was "reducing its exposure

to Huawei" in Spain to comply with EU recommendations to telecom

operators to phase out Huawei-made devices over concerns they

pose a potential security risk.

A spokesperson for Telefonica said the company would not

comment on individual contracts and Gayo did not immediately

respond to a request for comment.

Huawei declined to comment.

Some European countries, including Germany, have passed

outright bans on the use of Huawei gear, while Spain has not.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Paul Sandle; Editing by Emelia

Sithole-Matarise)