FCC Proposes Ban on Devices Deemed a Threat to National Security

The Federal Communications Commission proposed new rules that would prohibit all future authorizations for communications equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security. In recent years, the FCC, Congress, and the Executive Branch have taken multiple actions to guard against potential threats to the supply chain of equipment and services within the United States, including ensuring that public funds are not used to undermine or pose a threat to national security. The newly adopted Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Notice of Inquiry build on the FCC’s ongoing efforts to protect our nation’s communications networks. Additionally, the NPRM seeks comment on possible changes to the competitive bidding rules for auctions to protect national security. The FCC also seeks comment on whether it should revoke prior authorizations for any previously accepted equipment and, if so, the procedures it should use to do so.