Washington, October 30, 2026
The United States is preparing a major step in its technology and security rivalry with China. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday that it will vote on November 19 on a proposal to ban China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and other IP-enabled service providers from direct access to US phone numbers. Officials describe the move as a national security measure that is also meant to curb scam-related robocalls.
What the FCC Announced
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the decision would strengthen the country’s first line of defense against bad actors and illegal robocallers. The announcement came on October 29, 2026, and was first reported by Reuters.
What “Direct Access” Means and Why It Matters
For companies offering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which carry voice calls over broadband connections, direct access is a much cheaper option and makes it easier to offer advanced features. Losing it would push affected carriers toward costlier, indirect routes into the US numbering system. U.S. News & World Report
What Else the Proposal Covers
The plan goes beyond phone numbers. According to the reports:
- The FCC said it would ban all Chinese labs from testing US electronics starting in December 2028.
- It may also revoke direct number authorizations for Chinese companies it considers national security risks.
- Other measures under consideration include barring these firms from connecting to US networks and from operating data centres in the US. myjoyonline
- The FCC also plans to bar internet-based voice providers that use equipment from companies on its national security risk list, including Huawei and ZTE.
The Security Concerns Behind the Move
Much of Washington’s concern centers on espionage. In late 2024, the US said a Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage group known as Salt Typhoon stole consumers’ call records and US call data, and infiltrated American telecom and infrastructure firms.
This is not the first action against these carriers:
- The FCC has previously barred China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom from providing international telecommunications services to the United States.
- In July, it added California-based Digitalsystem Technology to a list of companies posing national security risks, citing its links to Chinese telecom firms and its ownership by a Chinese national.
China’s Response
Beijing has pushed back strongly. China’s foreign ministry said on Friday that it firmly opposes the likely ban, accusing Washington of stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to suppress Chinese enterprises. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun added that China will take necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests, according to TimesLIVE.
What Happens Next
All eyes are on November 19, when the FCC votes on the proposal. If it passes, Chinese carriers would lose a cheap and convenient path into US phone networks. The News International and QNC News have also covered the announcement.
Summary
The US says this step protects Americans from robocall scams and foreign spying, while China calls it an unfair crackdown on its companies. The November 19 vote will show how far Washington is willing to go.
