The US general Communications Commission is banning ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies from selling their telecommunication equipment on US soil. Read to know why.
US regulator bans ZTE and Huawei
On Friday, the US general Communications Commission issued a ban on ball telecommunication equipment produced by ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies in the US. The regulator revealed that the two Chinese companies pose an ‘unacceptable security risk. The decision is aimed at protecting the public in the US. Additionally, Hangzhou Hikvision and Dahua Technology, two Chinese firms producing video surveillance equipment are also barred from selling their products.
“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,” said Jessica Rosenworcel. Rosenworcel is the FCC chairwoman.
“These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications,” she added.
More on the bans and the reason behind them
In June 2021, the FCC first indicated it is considering banning equipment from ZTE and Huawei. Chinese tech firms have been on the radar starting from former president Donald Trump’s tenure. Trump believed the tech firms had deep ties with the ruling authoritarian government. He also believe the firms were responsible for rigging 5G tech to act as spy tools.
Huawei was also put on a trade blacklist in the US in 2019, banning US suppliers from doing business. On the other hand, ZTE was banned for a period of seven years for violating a settlement deal. ZTE was also guilty of illegally shipping goods made with US parts to North Korea and Iran. While the former US president’s policies did not stop Chinese tech products out of the US, FCC’s judgment is expected to place a blanket ban on their sales.
