The United States has introduced tougher restrictions on telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese firms considered threats to national security, intensifying Washington’s ongoing effort to curb Beijing’s influence over critical infrastructure.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously on Tuesday to halt new authorizations for devices containing components from companies listed on its “Covered List.” The decision also empowers the agency to revoke prior approvals in certain situations.
According to FCC Chair Brendan Carr, “These present loopholes that bad actors could use to threaten the security of our networks.” He added, “America’s foreign adversaries are constantly looking for ways to exploit any vulnerabilities in our system.”
The FCC’s “Covered List” already includes major Chinese telecommunications companies such as Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom—all barred from selling or importing new products into the U.S. under existing security rules.
Related story: FCC Steps Up Crackdown on Banned Chinese Electronics
FCC Expands Crackdown and Enforcement Actions
Earlier this month, Carr revealed that major American e-commerce platforms had removed millions of product listings for banned or unauthorized Chinese electronics as part of a sweeping enforcement initiative.
These products included home surveillance cameras, smartwatches, and other connected devices made by Huawei, ZTE, Hangzhou Hikvision, and Dahua Technology Co.
However, Hikvision pushed back against the FCC’s move to extend restrictions to devices that had already been approved. The company argued that the regulator was exceeding its jurisdiction.
“This order is not based on any product-specific evidence,” Hikvision stated, claiming it would “impose unnecessary harm on U.S. communities and small businesses that rely on safe, compliant, and already authorized security systems.”
Earlier in the month, the FCC issued a national security advisory to remind companies about prohibited items, including video surveillance equipment.
The commission also said on October 15 that it was seeking to revoke the operating authority of HKT, a major Hong Kong telecom subsidiary of PCCW, citing national security concerns.
Back in March, the FCC had launched investigations into nine Chinese entities on the Covered List—among them Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Dahua Technology, Pacific Networks Corp, ComNet, and China Unicom (Americas).
The agency has previously barred several Chinese telecom firms from operating in the U.S. for similar reasons.
More recently, the FCC initiated proceedings to withdraw recognition from seven testing laboratories controlled by the Chinese government, again pointing to threats to U.S. national security as justification.
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