- The US FCC warns China Mobile about possible fines over its failure to respond to a national security inquiry.
- The issue highlights growing US scrutiny of Chinese telecom firms amid rising geopolitical and cyber security concerns.
What happened: China Mobile under scrutiny from US FCC over lack of cooperation
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warns that China Mobile may face fines for not cooperating with an investigation into its compliance with US national security rules. A letter sent on Monday says the company’s US subsidiary did not respond to questions from the FCC’s Office of International Affairs. The inquiry asked about the company’s ownership, operations, and security practices. This warning is part of a broader review that started in 2021. The FCC began checking if foreign telecom firms working in the US could bring security risks. China Mobile was blocked in 2019 from offering domestic services in the US. That decision was based on worries about its links to the Chinese government. The new warning shows that US officials still do not trust Chinese state-connected companies in key telecom networks.
The FCC says it may fine the company or cancel its licence if it does not reply. The probe is part of a wider effort by the US to check foreign companies that might reach secure US communications systems.
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Why it’s important
This case shows rising tensions between the US and China over technology, data control, and national security. US agencies like the FCC, the Department of Justice, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) now place more pressure on Chinese firms. They focus on companies with government ties. The attention is not only on China Mobile. China Telecom and China Unicom also faced similar actions. Officials say these companies might be forced to give information to Chinese intelligence under local law.
Brendan Carr, a Republican FCC Commissioner, said China Mobile’s failure to respond is not acceptable. He asked for enforcement steps. This shows that both parties in Washington support separating key systems from foreign risks. The FCC’s findings may affect later decisions about telecom licenses and US-China tech links. Companies in sensitive fields may get stricter rules or be removed from US markets if they do not follow national security demands.
