FCC confirmed that CHU is now banned from offering its services from the United States. The government department explained why they restricted it.
The Federal Communications Commission said that if China Unicom will continue to operate or offer its services in the United States, it could lead to Chinese espionage. Because of this FCC decided to completely ban the telecommunications company from the U.S. market.
FCC confirmed this decision was confirmed on Thursday, Jan. 27, after the government department’s officials had a 4-0 vote in favor of the restriction. The decision came as U.S. officials are taking extra safety measures against spying activities from other countries.
FCC Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, said that they “take another critical step to protect our communications networks from foreign national security threats. There has been mounting evidence—and with it, a growing concern—that Chinese state-owned carriers pose a real threat to the security of our telecommunications networks.”
CHU Leads To Chinese Espionage?
As of the moment, FCC and other U.S. government security organizations are making huge efforts to reduce the spying issues. Now, the Federal Communications Commission claims that China Unicom can lead increase the risk of Chinese espionage in the U.S. market.
Rosenworcel said that “there has been mounting evidence—and with it, a growing concern—that Chinese state-owned carriers pose a real threat to the security of our telecommunications networks. The FCC official added that the organization’s final decision to ban CHU safeguards the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure from potential security threats.
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FCC’s order requires China Unicom Americas to end domestic interstate and international telecommunications services in the United States within 60 days of the order’s publication. China Unicom and the Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
As of the moment, FCC believes that CHU is owned and controlled by the Chinese government and provides mobile virtual network operator services and international private leased circuit and Ethernet private line services along with IP transit, cloud, and resold services in the United States.
The communications agency added that China Unicom’s recent responses made by the telecom giant, before the restriction action was finalized, were somehow misleading or incomplete. However, CHU defended itself, saying that it had good record compliance with the Federal Communications Commission’s regulatory obligations, and demonstrated a willingness to cooperate with U.S. law enforcement agencies back in 2020.
Recently, the U.S. government agency released its first-ever list of communications equipment and services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security. In the first month of 2021, the communications department urged the FBI, the Commerce Department, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, as well as other organizations to update the list.
Although the communications agency seems to be including CHU in the list, the department’s Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said that the Chinese organization may still be allowed to offer its data center services in the United States. However, they will still be monitored during the revocation.
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