Linda Moore, CEO of TechNet, a bipartisan group of technology CEOs, recently said that the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ban on imports from Chinese telecommunications companies including Huawei and ZTE will be beneficial to American national security.
The FCC announced in a press release that it has adopted new rules which ban the authorization for importation of communications equipment from certain companies that pose a threat to U.S. national security. Those companies are Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology, as well as any subsidiaries or affiliates of those companies.
“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in the release. “These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications.”
The release noted that this new rule is just one among multiple initiatives the Commission has taken that are aimed at strengthening the security of U.S. networks. Other actions include launching a reimbursement program to replace insecure equipment that is already installed in the U.S. and following recommendations from national security agencies to revoke operating authority from Chinese state-owned carriers.
The FBI conducted an investigation into Chinese companies purchasing land in the U.S. over the last several years and found that Huawei equipment in the Midwest “was capable of capturing and disrupting highly restricted Defense Department communications, including those used by U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the country’s nuclear weapons,” Wireless Estimator reported this summer. The investigation revealed a pattern of Huawei installing its equipment on cell towers located near U.S. military bases, even in cases where it was not profitable for Huawei. Multiple sources told CNN that despite denials from Huawei, “there’s no question the Huawei equipment has the ability to intercept not only commercial cell traffic but also the highly restricted airwaves used by the military and disrupt critical U.S. Strategic Command communications." FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr expressed concern in 2019 over the cell towers' proximity to the 150 intercontinental ballistic missiles that are located near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.
A release from TechNet noted that Huawei equipment is believed to be used by the Chinese government to engage in surveillance of the Uyghur population and applauded the FCC's "smart and strategic" steps to enact "reasonable restraints" on Huawei equipment.
“This is a smart and strategic action from the FCC that protects our national security and demonstrates the appropriate role of the government in regulating technology," Moore said in a statement. "TechNet applauds this decision to crack down on Chinese companies that have demonstrated a willingness to use technology to undermine America’s national security and consumer privacy. America’s tech companies are working hard to ensure devices are secure and user privacy is protected in a way that strengthens our national security and allows innovation to flourish. We hope that Washington will continue focusing on common sense technology regulations that will help businesses and individuals take advantage of all the benefits technology offers.”
There are at least 24,000 pieces of Huawei or ZTE equipment currently in use in the U.S., SDX Central reported, citing data from the FCC. The FCC's initial cost estimate for replacing that equipment was $700 million in 2019, but it is now believed that the effort will cost at least $5.6 billion.
