The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has banned two China-associated telecommunication organizations from providing their services in the United States.
The FCC added Pacific Network (PacNet), ComNet, and China Unicom Operations to its list of communications equipment and services deemed a threat to national security.
The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act requires the FCC to publish and maintain this list of communications equipment and services that pose a risk to national security and U.S. citizens. Being on the “covered list” means the telecom providers are restricted from accessing the U.S. market going forward.
“Today we take another critical step to protect our communications networks from foreign national security threats,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release Tuesday.
“Earlier this year the FCC revoked China Unicom America’s and PacNet/ComNet’s authorities to provide service in the United States because of the national security risks they posed to communications in the United States. Now, working with our national security partners, we are taking additional action to close the door to these companies by adding them to the FCC’s Covered List,” she said.
This decision is based on other Federal agencies’ national security reviews from almost two years ago. These reviews explained that PacNet/ComNet and China Unicom are subject to the exploitation, influence, and control of the Chinese government, and the national security risks associated with such exploitation, influence, and control.
In addition, the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense confirmed that these companies pose “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States” and its citizens.
