The United States is preparing to restrict Chinese telecommunications companies from obtaining direct access to American telephone numbers, citing national security concerns and the need to strengthen measures against illegal robocalls and telephone scams.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Thursday, October 29, that it would vote on November 19 on a proposal targeting China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and other internet-based voice service providers. If approved, the measure would prevent the affected companies from obtaining US telephone numbers directly through the existing authorisation system.
The proposal specifically concerns direct access to numbering resources by providers of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which transmit voice communications over internet connections rather than traditional telephone networks. Direct access allows providers to obtain telephone numbers more cheaply and offer services with additional features. The FCC argues that restricting access would make it harder for bad actors to exploit the system for illegal robocalls and other fraudulent activities.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the proposed restrictions would strengthen the country’s first line of defence against illegal callers and other security threats. The commission is also considering restrictions on internet-based voice providers that use telecommunications equipment from companies listed as national security risks, including Huawei and ZTE.
The proposed action forms part of a broader US effort to limit potential security risks associated with Chinese technology companies and their access to American communications infrastructure. The FCC has previously revoked China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom’s authorisations to provide international telecommunications services in the United States.
Washington’s concerns have intensified following the Salt Typhoon cyber-espionage campaign, which US authorities said compromised telecommunications companies and exposed consumers’ call records and other communications data. The FBI has warned that threats associated with the campaign remain ongoing. China has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to allegations of state-backed cyber operations.
The FCC is also pursuing other restrictions involving Chinese technology. It has announced plans to prevent Chinese laboratories from testing electronic devices intended for the US market from December 2028. The commission is further considering whether to revoke existing direct-number authorisations held by Chinese companies it considers national security risks, as well as additional restrictions on their access to US networks and data centres.
China has criticised Washington’s proposed restrictions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that Beijing firmly opposed what it described as an abuse of national security claims to suppress Chinese businesses. He warned that China would take necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.
The proposed restrictions could have implications for international telecommunications providers that rely on US numbering resources to deliver internet-based calling services. However, the FCC’s proposal is not a blanket disconnection of all Chinese telecommunications services in the United States. Its immediate focus is on direct access to American telephone numbers by specified providers.
The development highlights the growing role of telecommunications infrastructure in US-China security and technology disputes. As governments increasingly treat communications networks as critical national infrastructure, concerns over cyber espionage, fraud and foreign access to sensitive data are influencing regulatory decisions on both sides.
The debate also reflects wider international efforts to strengthen communications resilience and reduce dependence on infrastructure considered vulnerable to geopolitical pressure. European leaders, for example, have been exploring alternatives to external satellite communications providers amid concerns about reliance on critical networks. TheDailyNewsHub previously reported on Europe’s push to develop satellite alternatives as Starlink dependence raises security concerns.
In Nigeria, regulators are also warning about the security implications of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The Nigerian Communications Commission’s warning about AI-driven fraud targeting telecommunications networks and banking security highlights similar concerns over protecting communications infrastructure and digital services.
The FCC’s November 19 vote will determine the next step in the proposed restrictions. Until then, the measures remain proposals rather than an implemented ban.