The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken its first step to revoke the U.S. operating authority of HKT (International) Limited, a Hong Kong–based telecom carrier affiliated with China Unicom, citing national security risks linked to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) control. The Commission’s Office of International Affairs, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Enforcement Bureau issued an Order to Show Causedirecting HKT and its subsidiaries to explain why their international and domestic authorizations should not be terminated.
The FCC identified HKT as an affiliate of China Unicom (Americas), which is already listed on the FCC’s Covered List of entities deemed to present national security threats. This action aligns with prior FCC decisions that revoked the U.S. telecom authorizations of other China state-owned carriers, including China Mobile (2019), China Telecom (2021), China Unicom (2022), Pacific Networks (2022), and ComNet (2022). HKT subsidiaries named in the order include PCCW Global, Inc., PCCW Global Limited, Gateway Global Communications Inc., and PCCW Global (UK) Limited.
“Today’s Order continues the FCC’s work of ensuring that CCP-controlled entities that pose national security risks to our country cannot connect to our telecom networks,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. “As an affiliate of China Unicom—a provider already listed on the FCC’s Covered List due to national security concerns—the FCC’s action on HKT today is an appropriate step towards ensuring the safety and integrity of our communications networks.”
- The FCC issued an Order to Show Cause to HKT and its subsidiaries to justify continued U.S. market access
- HKT is affiliated with China Unicom (Americas), a CCP-controlled firm already on the FCC’s Covered List
- The order affects HKT’s entities including PCCW Global, Gateway Global Communications, and PCCW Global UK
- The move follows prior FCC actions against five Chinese state-owned telecom carriers since 2019
🌐 Analysis: The FCC’s move against HKT marks a continuation of its campaign to purge Chinese state-linked telecoms from U.S. networks, citing espionage and data security risks. PCCW Global’s long-standing operations in global wholesale connectivity and subsea infrastructure may face increased scrutiny or forced divestment. The decision underscores tightening U.S. policy coordination with allies in restricting Chinese access to communications infrastructure, following similar moves by Canada, the UK, and the EU.
