FCC Adds Three Companies To List Of Prohibited Communications Equipment & Services: AO Kaspersky Lab, China Mobile International USA Inc., & China Telecom (Americas) Corp.

March 25, 2022 – The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has announced the addition of three companies to its list of “covered” communications equipment and services.[1]

• AO Kaspersky Lab – Information security products, solutions, and services supplied, directly or indirectly, by AO Kaspersky Lab or any of its predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates.

• China Mobile International USA Inc. – International telecommunications services provided by China Mobile International USA Inc. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934.

• China Telecom (Americas) Corp. – Telecommunications services provided by China Telecom (Americas) Corp. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934.

“Covered” communications equipment or services are prohibited from U.S. communications networks because they have been “deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. or the security and safety of U.S. persons.” The list should be read to include the named companies and their subsidiaries and affiliates.

Covered List – Now Contains 8 Prohibited Companies

Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, the FCC must publish and maintain a list of covered communications equipment and services. The initial list containing five companies was released in March 2021. This addition of three companies is the first update to the list. The Covered List, shown below, is available on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau’s supply chain website.

Huawei Technologies Company – Telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment.

ZTE Corporation – Telecommunications equipment produced or provided by ZTE Corporation, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided or provided by such entity or using such equipment.

Hytera Communications Corporation – Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Hytera Communications Corporation, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment.

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company – Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment.

Dahua Technology Company – Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Dahua Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment.

AO Kaspersky Lab – Information security products, solutions, and services supplied, directly or indirectly, by AO Kaspersky Lab or any of its predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates.

China Mobile International USA Inc. – International telecommunications services provided by China Mobile International USA Inc. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934.

China Telecom (Americas) Corp. – Telecommunications services provided by China Telecom (Americas) Corp. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934.

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[1] Public Safety And Homeland Security Bureau Announces Additions To The List Of Equipment And Services Covered By Section 2 Of The Secure Networks Act, WC Docket No. 18-89, Public Notice, DA 22-320 (Mar. 25, 2022), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-320A1.pdf.