FCC Threat to Disconnect Chinese Telecoms from US Network: What This Means for International Calling
Imagine picking up your phone to call a business partner in Shanghai, only to hear nothing but silence. Or trying to reach family members across the Pacific, but your call never connects. This scenario could become reality if the Federal Communications Commission moves forward with its latest proposal to disconnect Chinese telecommunications companies from US networks.
On December 8, 2025, the FCC announced it may bar three major Chinese telecom giants—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—from connecting to US telecommunications infrastructure. While the agency frames this as a robocall prevention measure, the implications stretch far beyond spam calls. This decision could fundamentally disrupt how Americans communicate with China, affecting everything from business operations to personal relationships.
Understanding the FCC’s Latest Move Against Chinese Telecoms
The Federal Communications Commission issued orders requiring China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom to address certification issues in the agency’s robocall mitigation database. The regulator raised concerns about whether these companies should remain in the database at all.
If the FCC removes these carriers from the database, all intermediate providers and voice service providers handling calls in the United States must cease accepting calls directly from the three Chinese telecommunications companies. The companies have just two weeks to respond and provide evidence that their presence “is not a threat to national security and is in the public interest.”
This action builds on previous restrictions, as the FCC previously barred these three companies from operating directly in the US between 2019 and 2022. China Mobile’s bid for US telecommunications services faced rejection in 2019, while China Unicom and China Telecom Americas lost their operations authorization in subsequent years.
The Real-World Impact: More Than Just Robocalls
Disrupted Communication Channels
Telecommunications expert Xiang Ligang explains that severing direct Public Switched Telephone Network routes between China and the US would force calls to reroute through third-country operators. Think of it like driving from New York to Boston but being forced to detour through Philadelphia first. The journey takes longer, costs more, and creates more opportunities for things to go wrong.
What does this mean for everyday phone calls? Callers could experience:
- Increased latency: Your words might reach the other person seconds after you speak them, creating awkward pauses and overlapping conversations
- Higher costs: Routing calls through third countries means additional fees that will likely pass down to consumers and businesses
- Connection failures: More complex routing increases the chances of calls simply failing to connect
- Reduced call quality: Each additional “hop” in the network can degrade audio quality
Business Operations at Risk
American companies with operations in China face particularly acute challenges. Consider Apple, Tesla, and countless other US firms that depend on stable telecommunications for their Chinese operations. Supply chain coordination, technical support, customer service, and daily operations all rely on reliable phone connections.
Cross-border supply-chain communication depends heavily on stable and reliable telecommunication networks. When manufacturing managers in Detroit need to coordinate with factory supervisors in Shenzhen, they can’t afford dropped calls or delays. Product development teams collaborating across continents need clear, immediate communication to solve problems quickly.
Small and medium-sized businesses might feel the impact even more acutely. Unlike major corporations with dedicated IT departments and multiple communication channels, smaller companies often rely on traditional phone systems for international communication. Higher costs and unreliable connections could force some businesses to reconsider their China operations entirely.
The Technical Reality of Telecommunications Infrastructure
Modern international calling relies on direct interconnections between major carriers. These connections represent years of technical cooperation, infrastructure investment, and standardized protocols that enable seamless global communication.
The three Chinese carriers in question—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—collectively serve over 1.6 billion subscribers and handle enormous volumes of international traffic. They’ve built extensive networks specifically designed to connect Chinese users with the rest of the world efficiently.
Chinese telecommunication operators have implemented one of the world’s strictest real-name registration systems. This authentication requirement actually helps prevent fraud and spam, contradicting concerns about robocall origins.
Removing these carriers from direct US network access doesn’t eliminate the need for China-US communication. Instead, it adds complexity to an otherwise straightforward process. Calls will still happen, but they’ll take longer, more expensive routes.
National Security Concerns: Justified or Overreach?
The FCC frames its action around robocall prevention and national security. The agency requires all voice service providers to maintain certifications in its robocall mitigation database, which tracks compliance with anti-spam measures.
However, critics question whether disconnecting major carriers serves these goals effectively. Independent IT analyst Fu Liang notes that Chinese operators don’t support outbound calls from internet-based phone services, which are actually the primary source of illegal robocalls.
The timing raises questions too. This represents the latest in a series of actions Washington has taken against Beijing. Since 2019, the FCC has systematically restricted Chinese telecommunications companies’ US operations, consistently citing national security without providing detailed public evidence.
Industry observers point out that legitimate robocall concerns could be addressed through international cooperation rather than disconnection. Telecommunications associations could facilitate information sharing, and government-to-government communication channels could address specific issues.
What Experts Say About Alternative Solutions
Rather than severing connections entirely, telecommunications experts suggest several alternatives:
Enhanced monitoring protocols: Implementing stricter oversight of international call traffic without disrupting direct connections. Real-time analytics can identify suspicious patterns while maintaining normal service for legitimate calls.
Bilateral cooperation frameworks: Establishing formal agreements between US and Chinese regulators to jointly address robocall issues. China’s strict real-name registration system could actually help trace problematic calls if authorities cooperated.
Phased implementation: If security concerns genuinely warrant action, a gradual approach would allow businesses and individuals to adapt. Sudden disconnection creates chaos; planned transitions enable preparation.
Targeted restrictions: Instead of blanket bans affecting all traffic, regulators could focus on specific problem areas while maintaining normal communication channels for verified legitimate use.
The Broader Context: US-China Technology Relations
This FCC action doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a broader pattern of technology restrictions between the world’s two largest economies.
Recent years have seen restrictions on Chinese technology companies across multiple sectors. Huawei and ZTE faced 5G equipment bans. TikTok continues battling potential US prohibition. Chinese artificial intelligence companies face export controls on advanced chips.
In March, the FCC announced investigations into nine Chinese companies on a list raising national security concerns. The list included China Unicom, Huawei, ZTE, and Pacific Networks. Each restriction compounds previous ones, creating a complex web of limitations on technological cooperation.
This pattern affects more than just government contracts or major corporations. Academic research collaborations face funding restrictions. Student exchanges encounter visa complications. Scientific conferences struggle with participation limitations.
What This Means for You
If you regularly communicate with people in China—whether for business, family, or friendship—you should prepare for potential changes:
For business users: Start exploring alternative communication channels now. Video conferencing platforms, messaging apps, and other digital tools can supplement phone calls. Consider consulting with telecommunications providers about backup solutions.
For personal communication: International calling cards and VoIP services might offer alternatives, though they’ll likely cost more and provide less reliability than current direct connections.
For travelers: If you travel between the US and China, be aware that maintaining phone contact during trips might become more challenging. Research local communication options before traveling.
The good news is that complete communication breakdown remains unlikely even if the FCC proceeds. The bad news is that staying connected will probably cost more, work less reliably, and require more effort.
The Path Forward: Uncertainty and Adaptation
The FCC has given the Chinese carriers two weeks to respond to these orders. What happens next depends on several factors:
The companies could provide evidence satisfying the FCC’s security concerns, though the vague nature of those concerns makes meeting them challenging. They might challenge the orders through legal channels, potentially delaying implementation for months or years.
Alternatively, the FCC could proceed with removal, triggering immediate operational changes for telecommunications providers. This scenario would force rapid adaptation by everyone affected.
Industry groups and business associations may lobby for more moderate approaches. Major US companies with substantial China operations have significant influence, and they’ll likely express concerns about communication disruptions affecting their businesses.
International Telecommunications Cooperation at a Crossroads
This situation highlights broader questions about international telecommunications in an era of geopolitical tension. For decades, global communication networks operated on principles of technical cooperation and mutual benefit. Political considerations remained secondary to functional interconnection.
That’s changing. Telecommunications increasingly serves as a tool for asserting national priorities, even when it complicates legitimate communication needs.
The current robocall mitigation database controversy illustrates the challenge. The database serves a legitimate anti-spam purpose, but it’s become entangled with national security concerns. Technical decisions about telecommunications infrastructure now carry geopolitical weight.
Other countries watch closely. If the US succeeds in effectively blocking Chinese carriers without significant pushback, other nations might implement similar restrictions. This could fragment global telecommunications networks, creating regional communication zones with limited interconnection.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Multiple Scenarios
Given the uncertainty, the smart approach involves preparing for multiple possible outcomes:
Scenario One: The FCC backs down or accepts Chinese carrier responses. Communication continues largely unchanged, though with ongoing uncertainty about future restrictions.
Scenario Two: Partial restrictions take effect. Some call types or routes face disconnection while others continue. Users adapt to a more complex, less reliable system.
Scenario Three: Complete disconnection occurs. Calls between the US and China route entirely through third countries, with significant cost and reliability impacts.
For each scenario, individuals and businesses should consider backup communication strategies. This might include:
- Multiple communication platforms (apps, services, carriers)
- Documented contact information for key connections through various channels
- Budget adjustments accounting for potentially higher communication costs
- Regular testing of alternative communication methods
Conclusion: Balancing Security and Connectivity
The FCC’s threat to disconnect Chinese telecoms from US networks represents more than a technical policy decision. It reflects fundamental questions about how we balance security concerns with the practical need for global communication.
Legitimate security concerns deserve serious attention. Robocalls annoy millions of Americans daily, and protecting telecommunications infrastructure matters. But blunt instruments that disrupt normal communication may cause more problems than they solve.
As this situation develops, the impact will extend beyond the three Chinese carriers in question. It affects every business operating between the US and China, every family with connections spanning the Pacific, and every researcher collaborating across borders.
The next few weeks will clarify whether this represents another step toward telecommunications fragmentation or whether diplomatic and technical solutions can preserve global connectivity while addressing security concerns. Whatever happens, the era of taking seamless international communication for granted may be ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still be able to call China if the FCC blocks Chinese telecom companies?
Yes, you’ll still be able to call China, but your calls may face significant challenges. If the FCC removes Chinese carriers from US networks, your calls will need to route through third-country operators instead of taking direct paths. This means you might experience longer connection times, occasional dropped calls, and higher costs. The connection won’t disappear entirely, but it will become less reliable and more expensive than what you’re used to now.
Why is the FCC targeting China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom?
The FCC claims these actions address robocall prevention and national security concerns. The agency requires all telecommunications companies to maintain proper certifications in its robocall mitigation database, and they’ve questioned whether these Chinese carriers meet those standards. However, the broader context involves ongoing technology tensions between the US and China. Critics argue that legitimate security concerns could be resolved through international cooperation rather than disconnecting major carriers that serve billions of users worldwide.
How much more will international calls to China cost if this happens?
While exact pricing isn’t available yet, expect costs to increase significantly—potentially 30% to 50% or more. When calls must route through third countries instead of taking direct paths, each additional carrier in the chain adds fees. Small businesses and individuals who regularly communicate with China will feel this impact most acutely. If you make frequent calls, consider budgeting extra for telecommunications or exploring alternative communication methods like messaging apps or video platforms that use internet connections instead of traditional phone networks.
What should businesses with China operations do to prepare?
Start diversifying your communication channels immediately. Don’t rely solely on traditional phone systems. Set up accounts on multiple platforms including video conferencing tools, business messaging apps, and VoIP services. Document all critical contacts with alternative ways to reach them. Test these backup systems now while your current phone service still works reliably. Consider consulting with your telecommunications provider about enterprise solutions that might offer more stability. Companies that prepare now will face minimal disruption if the FCC proceeds with disconnection.
When will the FCC make a final decision about blocking Chinese telecoms?
The FCC gave the three Chinese carriers two weeks from December 8, 2025, to respond to the orders, which means initial responses are due by late December. However, the final decision timeline remains uncertain. The companies could challenge the orders legally, potentially delaying implementation for months or even years. Alternatively, if they provide satisfactory evidence addressing the FCC’s security concerns, the restrictions might not happen at all. Monitor official FCC announcements and telecommunications news for updates, as the situation continues developing rapidly.
Related Resources:
- Understanding International Telecommunications Regulations
- Business Communication Strategies for US-China Operations
- Alternative Communication Platforms for International Calls
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