FCC President Jessica Rosenworcel added, “These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats related to telecommunications.” Huawei told Axios it had no comment and that ZTE has yet to respond. Huawei and ZTE are among the largest suppliers of telecom equipment worldwide. Last year, the FCC voted to spend $1.9 billion to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment already used by rural wireless companies.
Huawei’s new 5G equipment can no longer be imported into the US
The FCC was given a year after passing the Secure Equipment Act last November to vote on an order to ban Huawei and ZTE equipment. In addition to the two well-known names for phone enthusiasts, three lesser-known Chinese firms are involved in the order. These companies include telecom company Hytera Communications, surveillance equipment maker Dahua Technology and video surveillance company Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology.
Hikvision released a statement saying, “This decision by the FCC will do nothing to protect U.S. national security, but will do much to make it more harmful and costly to U.S. small businesses, local authorities, school districts and individual consumers. protect themselves, their homes, businesses and property.” The company will continue to conduct business with its US customers “in full compliance” with US regulations.
