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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is expanding its role in Washington’s effort to reduce national-security and supply-chain exposure to Chinese technology, using import restrictions that reach beyond traditional telecom equipment. Under Chair Brendan Carr, the agency has already barred new models of Chinese drones, routers, inverters, and robots, moved to restrict Chinese laboratories from testing electronics for the U.S. market, and is now drafting additional limits on Chinese data-center components.
A new FCC proposal would extend Secure Networks Act restrictions to new-model optical transceivers made in China, a category that underpins high-speed AI and hyperscale data-center interconnects. The move targets a market where Chinese suppliers hold major global share and where upstream dependencies, including indium for indium phosphide, remain concentrated; industry reporting says U.S. alternatives are capacity constrained, raising the risk of disruption to AI infrastructure buildouts. China has already begun responding to broader U.S. measures with tighter export controls on drones and technology and sanctions on a U.S. testing and certification firm.
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Reuters reported that Beijing was aware of the FCC's actions by the time of a router measure in March, another step in the agency's effort to restrict Chinese technology in U.S. supply chains.
According to a former U.S. official cited by Reuters, Beijing had been aware of the FCC's moves since a drone-related measure in December, marking an early step in the agency's campaign against Chinese technology imports.
Brendan Carr became chair of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and then prioritized expanding the agency's national-security role around cyber and supply-chain risks from foreign adversaries, especially China.
China restricted indium exports, reducing global sales of a raw material important to optical interconnect and indium phosphide supply chains.
The FCC is reportedly drafting a proposal to expand Secure Networks Act coverage to include imports of new-model optical transceivers manufactured in China, potentially affecting AI data-center buildouts.
Reuters reported that the FCC was drafting a ban on imports of new models of Chinese data-center components, extending its restrictions into infrastructure tied to AI growth.
Under Brendan Carr, the FCC barred imports of new models of Chinese drones, routers, inverters, and robots as part of a broader supply-chain and national-security push.
The FCC started the process of blocking Chinese laboratories from testing electronics such as smartphones, cameras, and computers for use in the United States.
China responded to FCC moves and other U.S. trade actions by tightening export controls on drones and technology bound for the United States and by sanctioning a U.S. testing and certification firm.
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U.S. officials are preparing restrictions on Chinese-made optical transceivers used in data centers, with the Federal Communications Commission reportedly considering a ruling that could block imports of new models before year-end. The proposed action is being framed as a supply-chain and cybersecurity measure, driven by concerns that the components could be used to steal data, deploy malware, or disrupt data center operations tied to critical digital infrastructure and AI growth. The move would expand a broader U.S. crackdown on Chinese and China-linked technology products that has already targeted firms and product categories including **Huawei**, drones, routers, and some robotic devices. Chinese supplier **Zhongji Innolight**, a major global transceiver vendor, is expected to be among the most affected, while U.S. competitors such as **Lumentum**, **Coherent**, and **Applied Optoelectronics** are described as lacking similar scale; China’s embassy in Washington has criticized the plan and warned it could respond if U.S. measures materially harm Chinese interests.
Aug 6, 2026
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission expanded its restrictions on Chinese telecommunications and surveillance equipment, banning the import and sale of certain products from companies on the FCC Covered List, including **Huawei**, **ZTE**, **Hytera**, **Hikvision**, and **Dahua**. The move closes a loophole that had allowed some previously authorized or older models to continue being sold, with regulators citing national security and cybersecurity concerns tied to unpatched vulnerabilities, outdated firmware, insecure protocols, and potential unauthorized data access or surveillance capabilities. The ban applies to equipment such as routers, base stations, video monitoring systems, and other network infrastructure components used across communications networks, government facilities, critical infrastructure, and public safety environments. Already deployed devices are not subject to immediate removal, and some existing inventory may continue to be used, while the FCC is also considering further limits on U.S. telecom interconnection with Chinese carriers that could restrict those firms' ability to manage U.S. data centers.
Jul 2, 2026
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has enacted a ban on the import and approval of new foreign-made drones and their critical components, citing significant national security risks. This decision, effective immediately, adds unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related parts produced in foreign countries to the FCC's Covered List, which already includes companies like Kaspersky, ZTE, and Huawei. The ban specifically targets products from major Chinese manufacturers such as DJI and Autel Robotics, preventing the sale of their latest models in the U.S. while allowing continued use and sale of previously approved devices. The FCC's move follows recommendations from an Executive Branch interagency body with national security expertise and is supported by recent legislative actions, including the Countering CCP Drones Act within the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. The FCC and U.S. lawmakers argue that foreign-made drones and their components pose unacceptable risks, including the potential for persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory, especially during high-profile events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics. The ban covers a wide range of UAS components, such as data transmission devices, communications systems, flight controllers, and smart batteries. The FCC emphasized that this action is intended to safeguard American airspace sovereignty and reduce the risk of direct drone attacks, unauthorized surveillance, and other homeland security threats posed by foreign-manufactured drone technology.
Jun 29, 2026