The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules prohibiting communications equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security from being authorized for importation or sale in the United States.

This is the latest step by the FCC to protect U.S. communications networks. In recent years, the U.S. has taken multiple actions to build a more secure and resilient supply chain for communications equipment and services within the country. 

“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications.”

The ban applies to future authorizations of equipment identified on the Covered List published by the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau according to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. The Covered List (which lists both equipment and services) currently includes communications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Dahua Technology (and their subsidiaries and affiliates).  

The new rules prohibit the authorization of equipment through the FCC’s Certification process and make clear that such equipment cannot be authorized under the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process or be imported or marketed under rules that allow exemption from an equipment authorization.

The new rules implement the directive in the Secure Equipment Act of 2021, signed into law by President Biden last November, requiring the FCC to adopt such rules.

In addition to today’s actions and maintaining the Covered List, the FCC has prohibited the use of public funds to purchase covered equipment or services, launched the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to remove insecure equipment that has already been installed in U.S. networks, revoked operating authorities for Chinese state-owned carriers based on recommendations from national security agencies, updated the process for approving submarine cable licenses to better address national security concerns, and launched inquiries on Internet of Things (IoT) security and internet outing security, among other actions.