US to Block Certification of Wireless Equipment from Chinese Telecoms like Huawei

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly pushing measures to prevent foreign companies, including Chinese telecommunications firms such as Huawei and ZTE, from participating in wireless equipment certification within the United States, according to major foreign media on the 1st (local time).

According to reports, the FCC plans to discuss this month the proposed improvements to the wireless equipment certification process for foreign companies in the U.S., as suggested by the U.S. Congress.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Earlier, the U.S. Congress proposed that "telecommunications certification bodies and the laboratories (test labs) required for certification must be free from the influence of companies that pose a national security threat," and suggested "permanently excluding Huawei and others from involvement in equipment approval procedures." They also ordered the FCC to strengthen cooperation with national security agencies to protect the certification process.

In the case of Huawei, which has been targeted by the U.S. Congress, it has operated laboratories certified by the FCC and has determined whether wireless equipment can be sold in the U.S. market through tests required by the FCC. However, last week the FCC barred Huawei’s laboratories from participating in the equipment certification process and also dismissed the lab’s request for certification renewal, which ended late last month.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated in a press release, "The FCC must ensure that the equipment approval program and those delegated to manage it can respond to constantly evolving security and supply chain threats."

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr explained, "This proposal strengthens the testing laboratories and certification bodies that determine whether electronic devices comply with FCC requirements," adding, "It will prove that the FCC is a trustworthy institution."

This is not the first time the FCC has controlled the U.S. operations of Chinese companies citing national security reasons. In 2022, the FCC also amended regulations to completely ban the sale of all telecommunications and video surveillance equipment manufactured by Huawei, ZTE, and their subsidiaries within the U.S.

Additionally, on the 25th, the FCC reclassified broadband internet services as services subject to Title 2 of the Communications Act, halting all fixed and mobile broadband services provided by unauthorized Chinese government-owned telecommunications operators.