The FCC's recent order mandates that the U.S. units of China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile shut down their fixed or mobile broadband internet operations in America following the approval of a new net neutrality order. This decision also extends to Chinese telecom Pacific Networks and its ComNet subsidiary as part of the broader crackdown on Chinese telecommunications services in the U.S.
According to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, the commission had detected that Chinese telecom carriers were actively offering broadband services within the country, prompting the order to discontinue such operations. This move aligns with the FCC's previous actions against Chinese companies, where they were barred from providing telecommunications services on grounds of national security, a stance upheld by U.S. courts.
One of the main concerns highlighted by the FCC in its decision was the alleged susceptibility of Chinese telecom firms to exploitation, influence, and control by the Chinese government, posing risks to U.S. national security. This action underscores Washington's ongoing efforts to address vulnerabilities in the telecommunications sector, particularly in relation to Chinese companies accessing critical infrastructure like Points of Presence (POPs) within data centers, raising apprehensions about data security and integrity in the U.S. internet infrastructure.