FCC Terminates China Telecom Services in the US

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an order ending China Telecom (Americas) Corporation’s ability to provide domestic interstate and international telecommunications services within the United States. The Order on Revocation and Termination directs China Telecom Americas to discontinue any domestic or international services that it provides pursuant to its section 214 authority within sixty days following the release of the order. Promoting national security is an integral part of the FCC’s responsibility to advance the public interest, and this action carries out that mission to safeguard the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure from potential security threats. Based in part on the recommendation of the Executive Branch agencies, the FCC found that China Telecom Americas failed to rebut the serious concerns of the Executive Branch about its continued presence in the United States. The FCC will issue a consumer guide after the Order is released that explains this action and what other options consumers might consider for mobile services.