The US Federal Communications Commission has proposed extending the ban on telecom equipment deemed a risk to national security. Whereas previous rules targeted only equipment bought with public funds, the new rules would deny general authorisation to any equipment deemed a security risk, also at private, commercial operators.
The risky equipment is identified by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and put on a so-called Covered List. The proposal would prohibit the authorization of such equipment through either the FCC’s Certification process or the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process.
Any equipment on the Covered List could not be exempted from the authorisation process. The FCC is also looking at whether it can revoke prior authorisations for equipment already on the list.
To ensure private operators comply with the rules, the FCC is also looking at making this a condition of participating in its auctions. Applicants who wish to participate in FCC auctions would need to provide additional certifications relating to national security, and the consultation will look at other ways to create incentives in the equipment authorization processes.
The proposals remain subject to a public consultation and final approval from the Commission before they can take effect.
