FCC Begins Process of Ending China Telecom’s U.S. Operations

The FCC believes, based on national security concerns, it has enough evidence to revoke China Telecom’s ability to do business in the United States. Thursday, the Commission began a proceeding to revoke the company’s authority to provide domestic interstate and international telecommunications services under section 214 of the Communications Act.

In April 2020, several executive branch agencies recommended that the FCC revoke and terminate China Telecom Americas section 214 authority based on “substantial and unacceptable national security and law enforcement risks associated with [China Telecom Americas’] continued access to U.S. telecommunications infrastructure.”

China Telecom Americas is indirectly and ultimately owned and controlled by the government of the People’s Republic of China, according to the Commission. Continue Reading