Leveraging a multibillion federal subsidy, the nation’s communications chief is looking to new rules that would bar foreign telecommunications equipment suppliers who are deemed a threat to national security.
At the Federal Communications Commission’s next public meeting on April 17, Chairman Ajit Pai plans to propose rules that would curb billions in federal subsidies to U.S. telecommunications companies who use certain foreign manufacturers.
The proposed rules would bar money from the commission’s $8.5 billion Universal Service Fund from going to U.S. telecommunications providers that buy equipment from companies that “pose a national security threat” to U.S. networks.
