US moves to block Chinese telecom giants from accessing phone numbers

The United States is planning to restrict Chinese telecommunications companies from obtaining direct access to US phone numbers, citing national security concerns and efforts to combat illegal robocalls.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has scheduled a November 19 vote on a proposal targeting China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and other internet-based service providers.

The proposed restrictions would affect companies offering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which allow voice calls to be transmitted over broadband internet connections. Direct access to US phone numbers provides these companies with a cheaper way to offer services and advanced features.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the proposed measures would strengthen the country's defences against illegal robocallers and other malicious actors.

The agency is also considering restrictions on IP-enabled providers using equipment manufactured by companies identified as national security risks, including Chinese technology firms Huawei and ZTE.

The FCC has further indicated that it intends to prohibit Chinese laboratories from testing US electronics from December 2028. It may also revoke existing direct-number authorisations granted to Chinese companies considered national security threats.

The move comes amid growing concerns over Chinese cyber espionage activities targeting US telecommunications infrastructure. In late 2024, Washington accused a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group, known as Salt Typhoon, of infiltrating American telecom networks and stealing call records and other communications data.