The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is weighing new security checks for providers seeking direct access to U.S. phone numbers, a change that could affect services from Chinese telecom firms and add compliance steps for voice providers.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the draft measures Wednesday, Oct. 28. They would require providers to submit national-security certifications and revise the agency’s authorization process before numbers are assigned. The FCC says the changes are intended to protect numbering resources and help curb illegal robocalls. Carr said the agency would bolster its “first line of defense” against illegal robocallers.
The FCC’s June 12 Covered List identifies international telecommunications services from China Mobile International USA Inc. and China Unicom (Americas) Operations Limited, as well as telecommunications services from China Telecom (Americas) Corp. The three companies’ services were added to the list in 2022. Reuters reported that the proposal would bar China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom from direct access to U.S. phone numbers. The FCC’s announcement describes certification and authorization changes but does not say the listed services would immediately lose access.
The framework gives eligible interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers a way to secure numbers from U.S. numbering administrators without a carrier serving as intermediary. In its 2015 order, the FCC said that arrangement could lower costs, increase competition and simplify number transfers. Reuters said direct access can also help VoIP firms offer more advanced features.
Additional screening could increase compliance costs for providers using the route and narrow some of the savings cited when the FCC created it. The FCC says the proposal is intended to strengthen oversight of phone-number access and reduce illegal robocalls. The announcement does not provide an effective date for any adopted rules.
The FCC has tentatively scheduled consideration for Nov. 19, 2026. The agenda lists the item as a Fourth Report and Order and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, with no vote time specified.
