HKT and PCCW to exit US telecom market following FCC pressure

Hong Kong telecommunications carrier HKT, a subsidiary of PCCW Ltd, has agreed to a consent decree with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to cease all domestic and international telecommunications services within the United States.

The agreement follows an October 2025 move by the FCC to revoke HKT’s Section 214 authorizations, citing national security concerns regarding its affiliations with Chinese state-owned enterprises, specifically China Unicom. By reaching this settlement, HKT avoids further regulatory investigations and potential court proceedings, while the FCC will terminate its revocation process.

HKT is required to file an application to discontinue services within 30 days and must fully cease US operations by September 1, 2027. This development follows previous FCC actions against other Chinese firms, including China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. The move is part of a broader regulatory trend targeting telecommunications entities with Chinese ownership or affiliations.