US FCC moves against Huawei and China Telecom, citing security
- In a 5-0 vote, the regulator ordered US carriers to remove equipment made by Huawei
- The Federal Communications Commission also started proceedings over whether to revoke China Telecom’s permission to operate in the US
The US Federal Communications Commission has moved against marquee Chinese companies Huawei Technologies Co. and China Telecom, continuing a series of rulings aimed at protecting national security from the Beijing government.
The agency in 5-0 votes ordered carriers to remove equipment made by Huawei, and commenced a proceeding asking whether to end China Telecom (Americas) Corp’s permission to operate in the US.
“We do so for good reason,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said moments after the China Telecom vote.
Security agencies contend the company has not complied with cybersecurity and privacy laws, and provides opportunities for Chinese state-sponsored economic espionage and disruption of US communications traffic, Pai said. The company is owned by the Chinese government, he added.
The FCC, Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration are confronting China on a range of issues including trade and the novel coronavirus. Both FCC Democrats joined in Thursday’s votes, signalling continued vigilance on national security matters at the agency after President-elect Joe Biden’s administration takes over in January.