"US Plans Complete Ban on Domestic Sales of Chinese Huawei and ZTE Telecom Equipment"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to impose a complete ban on the sale of products from Chinese telecommunications equipment companies Huawei and ZTE within the United States, according to reports by internet media Axios and CNN on the 13th (local time).

According to the reports, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a draft order among commissioners on the 5th that would effectively prohibit the sale of new telecommunications equipment from companies deemed a national security threat. The vote on the order is expected to take place in mid-next month.

In 2020, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats and prohibited U.S. operators from purchasing equipment or services from these companies using federal subsidies. Axios explained that this new order represents a comprehensive sales ban that also blocks U.S. companies from purchasing equipment using private funds, which had previously been allowed with FCC approval.

The FCC plans not to apply the ban to companies that have already purchased Huawei equipment with prior approval, allowing continued sales of such equipment. However, sales of new equipment requiring new FCC approval will be blocked.

Additionally, the FCC plans to determine the scope of the sales ban on video surveillance equipment, targeting Chinese companies Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua Technology.

Commissioner Rosenworcel stated in a message to CNN Business, "The FCC is committed to protecting national security by preventing untrusted telecommunications equipment from being authorized for use within our borders, and we continue to work on this matter."

This order is a follow-up measure to the Secure Equipment Act signed by U.S. President Joe Biden in November last year. The law mandates that the FCC ban the sale of products from companies posing a national security threat within one year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.