FCC Bans Equipment Authorizations For Chinese Telecommunications

[RaleighGuy]

he Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules prohibiting communications equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security from being authorized for importation or sale in the United States.

The covered list (which lists both equipment and services) currently includes communications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Dahua Technology (and their subsidiaries and affiliates). The new rules implement the directive in the Secure Equipment Act of 2021.

 

[GlobalNorth]

Meanwhile, Chinese produced microprocessors still roll in.

 

[wwhitby]

Meanwhile, Chinese produced microprocessors still roll in.

And software owned by Chinese companies....

 

[TGuelker]

What about Chinese brands like Baofeng and Btech?

 

[mmckenna]

What about Chinese brands like Baofeng and Btech?

Does not apply to them.

 

[fwradio]

Looks like the Hytera portion of it doesn't really have any teeth either. It only applies to broadband equipment with a transmission rate above 200kbps. None of the radios meet that threshold.

 

[speedway_navigator]

Hytera US Radio Products Not Impacted by FCC Ruling

The FCC’s Report and Order Clarifies the Limits of the Covered List

In the Report and Order in the Covered List Equipment Proceeding (the “Report and Order”), the Commission rejected arguments that the Covered List reaches all equipment produced by any of the named entities. Instead, the Commission set a bright line ruling broadband capable equipment as Covered and equipment that cannot transmit or receive at 200 kbps or above is categorically not Covered Equipment. The Report and Order makes it clear that the vast majority of Hytera’s product offering is not Covered equipment.

Hytera US is pleased that even its high-end broadband capable equipment will be eligible for conditional approval and marketing in the US under the Order’s clarified guidelines.

The Report and Order has brought much needed clarity to the marketplace regarding the scope of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (“SNA”). The Commission’s actions promote robust competition while protecting the US telecommunications infrastructure from equipment that may pose a national security concern.

Hytera US will continue its active engagement with the FCC to request further necessary clarification and ensure product compliance in the US market. Hytera US remains committed to serving customers and supporting dealers in the U.S. with the leading, FCC-certified Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”) and other products.
 
Hytera US Inc.

 

[bharvey2]

I've run into this with Hikvision products. As my vendor explained it, there is a geographical component to the ban. The banned products come from a specific area of China while products in other areas aren't affected. I haven't researched this any further so I can't verify that this is truly the case. Also, I was told that existing products are grandfathered but that new products by those manufacturers aren't going to be authorized as the letter states. I'm not sure if existing authorizations have a sunset date. Rumor has it that the whole reason behind this is because the products in question were susceptible to remote hacking, eavesdropping, manipulation, etc. I guess that's what happens when you outsource all of your manufacturing to countries that don't have your best interests at heart.

 

[speedway_navigator]

Canada to review ‘disconcerting’ police radio deal with ties to China, says Trudeau

PM says officials signed contracts that have ‘questionable levels of security’ and could leave country exposed

www.theguardian.com

"The half-million dollar contract for a radio frequency filtering system to prevent eavesdropping went to Canada’s Sinclair Technologies, which is controlled by China’s Hytera Communications."

I was not aware there is spy technology built inside duplexers. I thought leaf gutter guards prevented water from 'eaves dropping', silly me.

 

[mastr]

I had no idea that Sinclair had become a Chinese company.

 

[StoliRaz]

And software owned by Chinese companies....

TikTok, anyone?

 

[W8HDU]

I get what the F.C.C. is after, and although I loathe some of the Chinese radio products for their lack of technical merit and usable features, there is still a considerable amount of hams, and non-hams, who will keep sales strong. The problem with rules is the assumption that everyone follows them to the letter of the law.

 

[KC2CQD]

Does not apply to them.

Yes, it would, by proxy mean that traditional Japanese companies like Yeasu and American companies like Kenwood and Motorola and even iPhone, who ALL farm out OEM to China, would have to re-contract their manufacturing, or stop selling....or God forbid, produce domestically.
Yes Kenwoods can be modded to do the same things a Baofeng/BTech do right outof the box.
My Kenwood was modified for ARMY/MARS which is of course, legal for licensed hams, when needed.

 

[mmckenna]

Yes, it would, by proxy mean that traditional Japanese companies like Yeasu and American companies like Kenwood and Motorola and even iPhone, who ALL farm out OEM to China, would have to re-contract their manufacturing, or stop selling....or God forbid, produce domestically.
Yes Kenwoods can be modded to do the same things a Baofeng/BTech do right outof the box.
My Kenwood was modified for ARMY/MARS which is of course, legal for licensed hams, when needed.

I think you need to re-read the document.

 

[INDY72]

I think you need to re-read the document.

I think no one here who is NOT an lawyer, or in the legal departments of any organization this might involve should just keep on keeping on in the eyes wide shut arena as this has not a dang thang to do with anything they may ever worry about. Straight up. If you are not financially being effected or affected by this ruling, then just close your eyes, and move on. Trying to teach anything to anyone with no skin in the game is about as pointless as trying to get the government to ACTUALLY do the right thing.