China Telecom

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a proceeding to revoke HKT International’s Section 214 authorizations, citing national security concerns tied to its affiliations and the evolving U.S.–China risk posture. Section 214 authority is the gatekeeper for carriers to originate, terminate, or carry traffic that touches the U.S., including wholesale voice, IP transit, subsea capacity backhaul, and certain enterprise connectivity. Over the past five years, the FCC—often in coordination with the interagency “Team Telecom” group (DOJ, DHS, DOD)—has revoked or denied comparable permissions for China Telecom (Americas), China Unicom (Americas), and Pacific Networks/ComNet, among others, after similar “order to show cause” phases. The next 60–120 days could reshape interconnection routes, roaming relationships, and wholesale arrangements touching Hong Kong-to-U.S. traffic paths.