The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is ramping up its efforts to block Chinese telecommunications firms linked to national security risks from operating in the United States. Despite years of bans and billions spent on a nationwide ‘rip-and-replace’ initiative, the FCC now suspects some of these companies may still be active behind the scenes.
For years, U.S. authorities have pushed to remove Chinese-made equipment and services from critical communication networks. Officials fear that devices from Chinese telecom giants could open the door for government-backed surveillance and data collection.
Tech heavyweights like Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Hytera, Dahua, Pacifica Networks, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom have already landed on the FCC’s Covered List. This designation identifies companies deemed a serious threat to U.S. national security. As a result, federal funding for their equipment has been severed, and these firms are prohibited from doing business in the U.S.
Yet concerns persist. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr revealed last week that the agency has launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover any ongoing operations by these companies—or third parties enabling their access—within American borders.
“We have credible reasons to believe that, despite our bans, some of these companies are still finding ways to work around our restrictions and continue operations inside the U.S. market—either privately or in ways that evade regulatory oversight,” Carr warned.
He made it clear that the FCC isn’t turning a blind eye to these potential violations. Working through its newly formed Council on National Security, and alongside other federal agencies, the FCC is determined to expose any loopholes foreign adversaries may be exploiting.
“Our priority is to track the full extent of these activities and close any gaps allowing untrustworthy, state-backed actors to sneak past our regulations,” Carr stressed.
This renewed crackdown also comes on the heels of recent cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecom firms, believed to be linked to China-backed hacking groups. In response, the FCC is rolling out new cybersecurity requirements designed to force telecom providers to strengthen their network defenses against sophisticated threats.
The Council on National Security, created earlier this month, plays a key role in driving these initiatives. Its mission is simple: protect American communication networks from foreign interference—especially from China.
As the investigation unfolds, the FCC remains committed to rooting out hidden risks and making sure no banned entity continues to operate, directly or indirectly, within the U.S.
