Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC INITIATES PROCEEDING REGARDING REVOCATION OF CHINA UNICOM AMERICAS’ AUTHORIZATIONS 

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today launched a proceeding to determine whether to end China Unicom Americas’ authority to provide domestic interstate and international telecommunications services within the United States under section 214 of the Communications Act.  Promotion of national security is an integral part of the Commission’s public interest responsibility, and today’s action seeks to protect the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure from potential security threats.  

China Unicom Americas is indirectly and ultimately owned and controlled by the government of the People’s Republic of China.  The Commission has raised concerns regarding the vulnerability of subsidiaries of Chinese state-owned enterprises to the exploitation, influence, and control of the Chinese government.  As part of this effort, the FCC ordered China Unicom Americas last year to show cause why the Commission should not start a process for revoking the company’s domestic section 214 authority and international section 214 authorizations.  FCC staff reviewed China Unicom Americas’ responses as well as comments from Executive Branch agencies that identified a number of significant national security and law enforcement concerns.

Today, the Commission determined that China Unicom Americas has failed at this stage to dispel serious concerns regarding its retention of section 214 authority in the United States.  Accordingly, today’s action starts the process to determine whether the present and future public interest, convenience, and necessity warrant revocation of China Unicom Americas’ domestic section 214 authority and international section 214 authorizations.    

The procedures adopted today are consistent with the procedures the Commission previously adopted in its December 2020 China Telecom Americas Order and will allow China Unicom Americas, interested Executive Branch agencies, and the public to present further arguments or evidence in this matter.  Today’s action also directs China Unicom Americas to answer specific additional questions related to the proceeding.

Action by the Commission March 17, 2021 by Order Instituting Proceeding on Revocation (FCC 21-37).  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving.  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioner Starks issuing separate statements.

GN Docket No. 20-110, ITC-214-20020728-00361, ITC-214-20020724-00427. 


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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

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).