The FCC intends to implement stricter controls on Chinese telecom equipment in light of national security threats and to defend U.S. networks.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to vote on October 28 and impose more limitations regarding telecom equipment from Chinese companies that represent a national security threat. The action is after previous measures that banned the imports and sale of new equipment in the United States among companies such as Huawei or ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the agency also can look at banning sales of formerly certified equipment off the so-called “Covered List,” and he is also assessing how to streamline procedures to ensure unsafe equipment does not enter American networks.

In the first quarter, the FCC announced it was investigating nine Chinese companies on the Covered List, like Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Dahua Technology, Pacifica Networks/ComNet, and China Unicom (Americas). There were those who were not allowed to offer telecom services on grounds of national security.

Carr has pointed out some worries that some businesses would find ways of evading American laws by conducting business privately or anonymously. Besides this, the FCC has also taken action to withdraw recognition of seven Chinese government-controlled test labs to verify the safe standards of devices such as smartphones, cameras, and computers in the United States.

These measures conclude the dedication of the FCC in safeguarding the U.S. telecommunications sector and the exclusion of foreign intervention, enhancing the strict control over equipment certification as well as services in the critical networks in the country.

As the vote approaches, industry observers are concerned about the implications of how these telecom regulations will reshape the market and cross-border business activities.