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FCC Expands Investigation Into Chinese Networking Firms Over Security Concerns

Networking

Business Honor
24 March, 2025

Crackdown targets Huawei, ZTE, and others for alleged unregulated U.S. operations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a new probe to bar Chinese networking firms, such as Huawei, ZTE, and Dahua Technology, from doing any business in the United States. The action reflects increasing worries about foreign network security risks and the integrity of U.S. telecommunications infrastructure.

In 2022, the FCC banned the import and sale of gear from nine Chinese networking firms on national security grounds. But new FCC Chair Brendan Carr has now demanded a "sweeping" probe, indicating that some of those firms could still be active in the U.S. through unregulated or private channels.

The investigation is being carried out under the FCC's newly established Council on National Security, whose mission is to respond to foreign spy threats. The action follows reports that Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached up to nine American telecom networks, raising concerns about the security loopholes in key infrastructure.

As per the FCC, there is data indicating that blacklisted Chinese telecommunications companies are trying to evade current bans by keeping operations in the US afloat through loopholes. The FCC is now collaborating closely with other federal agencies in monitoring their activities and closing down all unauthorized operations.

Part of the investigation includes the FCC sending letters of inquiry and summons to the Chinese firms in order to find out the extent of their operations. The agency is also investigating if other companies are helping these businesses to operate in the country.

Huawei, ZTE, and Dahua Technology did not respond to the inquiry, although Huawei and ZTE have continually denied being a security threat.

The FCC's crackdown is part of a larger push to make U.S. networks secure and prevent foreign powers from infiltrating telecommunications infrastructure, maintaining the integrity of national cybersecurity.