FCC weighs import ban on older Chinese technology gear
The FCC is weighing a ban on older Chinese equipment imports. The move targets products from firms like Huawei and Hikvision approved before 2022 restrictions.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States is weighing a broader crackdown on telecommunications and surveillance technology originating from China. The agency stated on Friday that it is considering a ban on the import of equipment from a specific group of manufacturers, potentially closing loopholes for products approved prior to existing restrictions.
The proposed measures would target several major entities, including ZTE CORP-A, HYTERA COMMUNICATIONS CORP-A, HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL-A, and ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY-A. This latest development follows a 2021 initiative where the FCC added these companies, as well as Huawei, to its Covered List due to perceived risks to national security.
In November 2022, the regulator moved to stop authorizing the import or sale of any new models from these firms. However, the current inquiry focuses on whether to bar the continued importation of older equipment that had already received U.S. approval before that 2022 order was implemented. The FCC is now seeking public comment on the feasibility and impact of such a ban.
