FCC Proposes Ban on Huawei and ZTE Equipment Over Security Fears
The Federal Communications Commission introduces a two-part proposal to ban telecommunications companies from using Huawei and ZTE equipment, citing national security threats. The plan blocks the use of federal funds for these purchases and requires the removal of already installed gear.
The Federal Communications Commission moves forward with a two-part proposal to ban telecommunications companies from using Huawei and ZTE networking equipment. The agency cites persistent national security threats, arguing that these Chinese manufacturers put American data at risk of surveillance and espionage due to their susceptibility to Chinese intelligence laws.
The first part of the proposal bars telecom giants from using FCC Universal Service Fund money to buy equipment from Huawei and ZTE. The second part mandates that certain carriers remove any existing banned equipment from their networks, and the FCC offers a reimbursement program to help smaller, rural wireless providers transition to more trusted suppliers.
This crackdown establishes a formal process for designating other suppliers as national security threats, potentially opening the door for future bans beyond the current targets. FCC chairman Ajit Pai emphasizes that the United States cannot afford to take risks with 5G infrastructure, though both Huawei and ZTE continue to strongly deny all allegations of wrongdoing.