US expands ban on Chinese telecom and surveillance gear

• FCC emphasises that consumers may continue using equipment they already own.

The Federal Communications Commission of the US will expand its restrictions on Chinese-made telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, moving to block imports of older models from Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua for use in sensitive environments, the agency said. The expanded ban is set to take effect in early July.

The action broadens a 2022 FCC prohibition that covered new models from the manufacturers. It now includes legacy equipment intended for public safety, government facilities, critical infrastructure surveillance, and other national security purposes, closing what regulators described as loopholes that allowed older devices to remain in circulation for high-risk uses.

“The action is necessary to protect national security by mitigating risks to the US communications sector,” the FCC said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington and the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hikvision has challenged related FCC moves in court, suing in December and arguing the agency exceeded its authority.

The FCC emphasised that consumers may continue using equipment they already own. The order does not ban imports of prior models of Chinese-made drones and consumer routers, though the agency separately barred imports of new models of those products in December and March, respectively.

In October, the FCC voted 3-0 to block new approvals for devices containing parts from companies on its covered list and to allow the agency to bar previously approved equipment in some cases. The commission is also weighing a proposal to prohibit US telecommunications carriers from interconnecting with Chinese telecom firms, a move that could effectively prevent those firms from operating US data centres.

Procurement officials for public agencies and critical infrastructure operators are expected to shift to alternative suppliers as the July effective date approaches.