The United States plans to bar Chinese telecommunications companies from direct access to American phone numbers on national security grounds and as part of efforts to combat scam calls.
The US Federal Communications Commission said a vote on the relevant draft order will take place on 19 November, targeting China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and other internet-based service providers, Reuters reported.
For such firms, direct access is significantly cheaper and makes it easier to offer additional features. Commission chair Brendan Carr said the decision would strengthen the first line of defence against malicious actors and illegal robocalls.
Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry spoke out against the planned ban and accused Washington of abusing the concept of national security to pressure Chinese businesses. Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the country would take the necessary measures to protect its legitimate interests.
The commission also plans to ban internet providers from using equipment made by companies such as Huawei or ZTE, which pose security risks. By December 2028, the agency wants to prohibit Chinese laboratories from testing American electronics and is considering revoking direct number authorisations for companies from China.
Previously, the United States had already blocked Chinese operators from providing international communications services, and among other possible measures it is considering a ban on connecting to US networks and operating data centres. Concerns about Chinese access to infrastructure grew after Washington reported in late 2024 on cyber-espionage by the Salt Typhoon group, which stole call records and at times infiltrated telecommunications companies. The FBI said the threats posed by the group remain current, and in July it added the California company Digitalsystem Technology to its list of national security threats due to its links to China.