Securitisation of the 5G rollout in Germany - An analysis of the extent to which the 5G rollout in Germany has been securitised

Abstract

The fifth generation of mobile communication networks (5G) has the capability to facilitate ground-breaking innovation as well as to contribute to a digital transformation of societies and economies alike. While this new network standard has game-changing potential, it has also brought about security concerns. Due to societies as well as industries being projected to develop a greater dependency on services facilitated by these networks, many countries have grown concerned by potential threats such as espionage or sabotage. This thesis analyses the case of the 5G rollout in Germany placed in a global as well as European context. Securitization Theory is used as a theoretical framework. Embedded in the context of cyber-security the study then tests whether the theory aids in explaining the rollout of the 5G network in Germany. By means of discourse analysis, speech acts from actors in the industry, the media as well as from political actors are examined. The study finds that the rollout of the 5G network in Germany was partially securitised. This study shows that, despite the lack of security incidents, securitisation nevertheless occurred.