Chairman Genachowski's Response to Rep. Eshoo's Regarding the Security of the Nation's Telecommunications Networks

On November 2, 2010, Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski with concerns about the implications of foreign-controlled telecommunications infrastructure companies providing equipment to the US market. She noted specific concerns about Chinese telecommunications infrastructure manufacturers Huawei and ZTE were looking to increase their presence in the US.

On June 3, 2011, Chairman Genachowski replied saying that in response to Rep Eshoo's letter, he mobilized an intra-agency team of subject matter experts to examine in detail each of the questions in her letter. In addition, as appropriate, Commission officials consulted with their federal inter-agency peers and industry officials to gather additional information. Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter and the staff 's findings, Chairman Genachowski suggested an in-person, oral briefing instead of letter response.