US Senators Call on FCC to Revise Licenses with China-owned Telecoms

In May, the FCC rejected China Mobile's request to become a telecommunications provider in the United States, citing "significant and serious" risks to security and law enforcement. In their letter, the senators warned that China Telecom and China Unicom could constitute a similar threat and redirect the communications through their networks via China. When the FCC rejected China Mobile's request, it said it was reviewing existing approvals. In a statement provided to ReutersAn FCC spokesman, Ajit Pai, said his president "has made it clear that the Commission is reviewing other Chinese communication companies such as China Telecom and China Unicom."

While the FCC may already be investigating both telecoms, the letter shows that Congress is willing to put pressure on Chinese technology companies, even as the Trump administration throws some restrictions on companies such as Huawei .