Regulators in the U.S. have moved to block one of Hong Kong’s largest telecommunications companies from accessing domestic network

Regulators in the U.S. have moved to block one of Hong Kong’s largest telecommunications companies from accessing domestic networks, citing national security concerns. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday that it had initiated proceedings to potentially bar HKT Trust and HKT Ltdand its subsidiaries from interconnecting with American networks, escalating concerns over its ties to China.

The government agency asked HKT, which is a subsidiary of information and communication technology giant PCCW, to justify why its authorizations should not be revoked. HKT’s current hold permits allowing direct exchange of calls and data with U.S. carriers.

China Unicom, which owns about 18.4% of PCCW, lost its own U.S. network access in 2022 due to similar concerns. “The FCC’s action on HKT today is an appropriate step towards ensuring the safety and integrity of our communications networks,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement. 

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