Media Contact: 
Bill Davenport
William.Davenport@fcc.gov
(202) 418-2500

For Immediate Release

STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER STARKS ON FCC BARRING HUAWEI AND ZTE FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2020—Today, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau confirmed the FCC’s initial designation of Huawei and ZTE as national security threats, prohibiting the use of universal service funds to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by Huawei or ZTE.  In response, Commissioner Starks issued the following statement: 

“Network security is national security.  Today’s actions will help secure our networks against new threats from Huawei and ZTE equipment.  We must not, however, lose sight of the untrustworthy equipment already in place.  Last year, I called for the FCC to find the untrustworthy equipment in our networks, to fix the problem by instituting a replacement program, and to fund the replacement of that equipment.  Find it.  Fix it.  Fund it.  The Commission has taken important steps toward identifying the problematic equipment in our systems, but there is much more to do. 

“We must prioritize our review of our recent information collection and establish an expedited plan for the removal and replacement of untrustworthy equipment.  That plan should seriously consider leveraging Open RAN technology, which will use standardized hardware and interoperable interfaces to enable networks to combine equipment from multiple vendors.  As I wrote in an op-ed for the San Jose Mercury News last year, this approach could advance American technological leadership, enhance competition, and reduce our reliance on foreign vendors—all while bringing down replacement costs.  I have long championed Open RAN technology as a potential solution to this problem that will allow us to ensure that the next technological revolution advances safely and securely.

“Funding is the missing piece.  Congress recognized in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act that many carriers will need support to transition away from untrustworthy equipment, but it still has not appropriated funding for replacements.  I look forward to working with Congress and my colleagues to ensure there are sufficient funds to get the job done.”


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Office of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: (202) 418-2500 
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @GeoffreyStarks 
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/geoffrey-starks

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).