The FCC launched an investigation into the U.S. operations of several China-based companies previously flagged as national security threats under its Covered List. Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the FCC’s newly formed Council on National Security is leading the initiative, which targets entities aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including Huawei, ZTE, China Telecom, Hikvision, and others. The probe seeks to determine whether these companies continue to operate within the U.S. in ways that circumvent FCC restrictions or operate through unregulated channels.
The FCC has issued Letters of Inquiry and at least one subpoena to multiple Covered List entities as part of its effort to assess ongoing activities. The investigation aims to identify gaps in compliance and close any loopholes that may allow foreign adversary-backed firms to maintain a presence in U.S. markets. This action follows previous FCC moves to revoke certain FCC authorizations and restrict the sale or deployment of equipment and services deemed to pose unacceptable national security risks.
Chairman Carr underscored that the FCC, in coordination with other federal agencies, will take additional measures to secure American networks if necessary. The investigation focuses not only on the listed entities but also on any third-party companies potentially aiding their continued operations in the U.S.
• FCC launches investigation into ongoing U.S. activities of CCP-aligned companies on its Covered List.
• Targeted entities include Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Hytera, Dahua, China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom.
• FCC issued Letters of Inquiry and subpoenas to gather data on potential non-compliant operations.
• The Council on National Security is leading the initiative in coordination with other federal bodies.
• The probe aims to identify and close loopholes enabling foreign adversary-linked companies to bypass FCC restrictions.
“We have reason to believe that, despite those actions, some or all of these Covered List entities are trying to make an end run around those FCC prohibitions by continuing to do business in America on a private or ‘unregulated’ basis,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. “We are not going to just look the other way.”
