United States expands ban on Chinese telecom and surveillance gear

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a new set of import restrictions that will take effect in early July. The expanded ban covers both new and existing models of telecom and video‑surveillance equipment from Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua.

The agency is also reviewing whether U.S. carriers may be barred from connecting to Chinese telecom operators. Existing devices already in U.S. hands may continue to be used, according to the FCC.

This action follows earlier measures, including a 2025 prohibition on new Chinese drones and a 2026 ban on new routers made in China. In October 2025, the FCC voted unanimously to block new licensing for devices containing components from listed Chinese firms, and it opened the possibility of revoking approvals for previously cleared products. Hikvision has filed a lawsuit challenging the latest restrictions, claiming the FCC exceeded its authority.