Key facts
- The FCC plans to ban Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers.
- The ban is intended to prevent scam-related robocalls and address national security concerns.
- The FCC will vote on the proposal on November 19.
- Companies like China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom are targeted.
- Providers using equipment from Huawei or ZTE will also be barred.
The United States is preparing to ban Chinese telecommunications firms from directly accessing US phone numbers, citing national security concerns and the need to combat scam robocalls. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to vote on November 19 on a proposal that would affect companies such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. This move is part of broader US efforts to restrict Chinese access to critical infrastructure and data, amid growing concerns about potential espionage and cyber threats. The FCC has previously barred some of these companies from providing international telecom services to the US.