The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has now officially labeled Huawei and ZTE as national security threats. Measures were technically already
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has now officially labeled Huawei and ZTE as national security threats. Measures were technically already in place in the US with regard to Huawei, at the very least. In particular, that was to prevent US telecoms from using federal funds to buy Huawei — and now ZTE — equipment. But this makes that stance official. Now, no telecom companies in the US will be able to gain subsidy money from the $8.3 billion Universal Service Fund. Or at least as that pertains to purchasing equipment from the two companies. In effect, this closes off any loopholes that may have existed before. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has released a statement alongside the commission marking ZTE and Huawei as security risks. The statement further outlines the commission’s position. Both companies, the statement says, have close ties to both the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military apparatus.
