FCC (U.S. Federal Communications Commission) on Tuesday is repealing the authorization of China Telecom’s U.S. subsidiary to, in fact, operate in the United States national security concerns are citing.
FCC Discontinue U.S. Services for China Telecom
For China Telecom Americas, the decision says they must now discontinue U.S. services within 60 days. It is the largest Chinese telecommunications company, China Telecom, which has had the authorization to provide telecommunications services for almost 20 years in the U.S.
Chinese Government Influence is a Threat
China Telecom, the FCC has found, “is subject to exploitation, influence, and control by the Chinese government. Moreover, it is very likely to be forcing to comply with Chinese government requests. That is without proper legal procedures subject to independent judicial oversight.”
The Chinese government ownership and control, the U.S. regulator has added, does “raise massive national security. In addition, to law enforcement risks by providing opportunities.” This would be for the company and the Chinese government “to access, store, disrupt and/or misroute U.S. communications.”
FCC Decision: China Telecoms America is not Happy Over it
A disappointment is how the FCC’s decision is characterizing by a spokesperson China Telecoms America.
“All our services are being served to the customers. Moreover, we will continue to pursue all available options,” the spokesperson said.
China Telecom is a Force to be Reckoned With
Serving more than 335 million subscribers worldwide is China Telecom. This is as of 2019. They claim to be the largest fixed-line and broadband operator in the world. It is according to a Senate report. It also provides services to Chinese government facilities in the United States.
In April 2020, the U.S. government is saying that China Telecom is targeting its mobile virtual network. It will be toward 4 million Chinese Americans. In the United States, 2 million Chinese tourists a year. There are 300,000 Chinese students at American colleges. In America, there are more than 1,500 Chinese businesses.
Shutdown of Chinese Telecommunications Companies
The FCC has said it has warned in April 2020 it might shut down the U.S. operations of three state-controlled Chinese telecommunications companies. There are national security risks citing. It does include China Telecom America as well as China Unicom Americas and Pacific Networks Corp. In addition to its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC, this is after U.S. agencies has increased national security concerns.