The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking measures to stop Chinese telecom companies, such as Huawei and ZTE, which are considered national security threats, from certifying wireless equipment for the U.S. market. 

The FCC is proposing to ensure that telecom certification bodies and test labs are not influenced by companies that pose security risks. 

This will help protect U.S. communications networks and ensure the integrity of the wireless equipment certification process. 

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• FCC moves to bar Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese companies from certifying wireless equipment for the U.S. market due to national security concerns.

• The new proposal would permanently prohibit companies on the FCC’s list of national security risks from participating in the equipment authorization program.

• FCC aims to ensure the integrity of the wireless equipment certification process and protect U.S. communications networks from security threats.

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FCC Moves to Bar Huawei and Other Chinese Telecoms from Certifying Wireless Equipment in the US

Huawei’s test lab was recently denied the ability to participate in the equipment authorization program. 

The new proposal would permanently prohibit Huawei and other entities on an FCC list of companies posing national security risks from participating in the program. 

This proposal also aims to provide the FCC and its national security partners with the necessary tools to safeguard the equipment authorization process. 

In November 2022, the FCC banned approvals of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and several other Chinese companies, including Hytera Communications Corp, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. 

The FCC has also added several other companies to its covered list, which includes entities that pose threats to U.S. national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting U.S. communications networks. 

These companies include Russia’s AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas) Corp, China Mobile International USA, Pacific Networks Corp, and China Unicom (Americas).  

The FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks in 2020, barring U.S. companies from using an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from these companies.

Huawei and Hikvision were placed on a U.S. export control list in 2019, restricting most U.S. suppliers from shipping goods and technology to them without granted licences.   

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel emphasised the importance of the agency’s ability to rise to the challenge posed by persistent and ever-changing security and supply chain threats. 

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr expressed support for the proposal, stating that it will ensure that the test labs and certification bodies reviewing electronic devices for compliance with FCC requirements are trustworthy actors that the FCC can rely on.

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