The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering new rules that would prevent Chinese telecom companies from obtaining US telephone numbers. The proposal, announced on Thursday, is based on national security concerns and aims to protect domestic networks.
The FCC claims the new regulations could stop Chinese telecom giants such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom from acquiring numbers through internet-based voice services. The measure would apply to other service providers as well. The regulator plans to vote on the proposal during its November 19 meeting.
This move comes amid broader efforts by the US government to limit the influence of Chinese technology firms. Previous actions have targeted Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles, citing national security risks. The proposed restrictions also extend to components from Russia, reflecting a wider strategy to reduce reliance on foreign technology. The FCC’s decision is part of an ongoing trend of regulatory tightening against Chinese tech firms operating in the US.
