Federal Communications Commission	FCC 25-28


STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN BRENDAN CARR

Re: 	Protecting our Communications Networks by Promoting Transparency Regarding Foreign Adversary Control, GN Docket No. 25-166, Report and Order (January 29, 2026).

Almost four years ago now, I said that the FCC should publish a list of every entity with an FCC license or authorization that is owned or controlled by a foreign adversary government.  Fast-forward to today, and the Commission now votes to complete a rulemaking that does exactly that.
This decision also builds on the specific and concrete steps the FCC has been taking to promote our country’s national security.  Indeed, from the day I stepped into this role a year ago, I made national security a priority, establishing a Council on National Security to coordinate actions across the Commission.  Today’s item includes sections from 10 Bureaus and Offices, reflecting our comprehensive, Commission-wide approach to national security.
Foreign adversaries have made clear their intent to probe and penetrate vulnerabilities across our communications ecosystem.  We have seen this through cyberattacks like Salt Typhoon.  We have seen it in the equipment pipeline, where foreign adversary‑controlled labs could attempt to influence the testing and approval of devices bound for the U.S. marketplace.  We have seen it in the online marketplace, where millions of prohibited devices linked to foreign adversaries were being sold to American consumers.  And we have seen it at the carrier level, where entities with concerning ties to foreign governments have sought to operate in U.S. networks despite clear national‑security risks.  In all of these areas, the FCC has taken action.
We do so again today.  This decision builds on a year’s worth of national security initiatives and establishes a uniform system for identifying foreign adversary control across all FCC licensees and authorization holders.  This item sets up a clear, risk-based reporting structure that requires entities to attest to whether they are owned by, controlled by, or subject to the direction of a foreign adversary.  This approach tracks and broadens the bipartisan FACT Act led by Senator Deb Fischer, and I appreciate the leadership behind that legislation.
This single, consolidated reporting system will give us and our national security partners the visibility needed to spot foreign adversary control before it is exploited.  Additionally, this action will fill gaps in our information collection and ensure that we have consistent visibility across all entities that come before the Commission.
At a time when foreign adversaries are probing for weaknesses in our communications infrastructure, the FCC must lead with clarity and resolve.  Today’s action reflects that responsibility.
This has truly been an agency wide effort.  And for their work on today’s item, I’d like to thank Joseph Calascione, Allison Baker, Jodie May, Mason Shefa and Shabbir Hamid from the Wireline Competition Bureau; Chris Smeenk from the Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau; Michael Scott from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau; Jamie McCoy from the Enforcement Bureau; Jamie Coleman from the Office of Engineering and Technology; Douglas Klein from the Office of General Counsel; Tanner Hinkel from the Office of Economics and Analytics, Gabrielle Kim from the Office of International Affairs; Brendan Murray from the Media Bureau; Carolyn Mahoney from the Space Bureau; and Thomas Reed and Roger Noel from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
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