Effective date: May 30, 2025
Overview
On May 22, 2025, the FCC adopted three major regulatory actions aimed at reducing the influence of foreign adversaries—particularly China and Russia—within the U.S. communications ecosystem. This marks the agency’s most aggressive national security posture since the “Rip and Replace” program.
The actions include:
- Banning foreign-controlled testing labs and certification bodies from the FCC’s equipment authorization process.
- Proposing sweeping ownership disclosure requirements for all FCC-regulated entities.
- Launching a review to ban foreign-made connected car technologies from the U.S. communications supply chain.
These changes follow the March 2025 formation of the FCC Council on National Security, and reflect the agency’s intensified effort to fortify U.S. communications against surveillance, cyberattacks, and supply chain compromise.
Impact
VoIP & Numbering Providers (like Signalmash customers):
- New reporting requirements for VoIP providers holding FCC numbering authorizations.
- Ownership structure reviews required—especially foreign investments or partnerships at 5% or greater ownership thresholds.
Anticipate heightened compliance requirements around international routing and interoperability.
OEMs & Device Partners:
- Entities using foreign-controlled certification bodies or testing labs (e.g., Huawei-affiliated labs) will need to re-certify equipment using approved U.S.-based facilities.
- Expect delays or disruption in the equipment authorization pipeline unless alternative testing pathways are secured.
Automotive & IoT CPaaS Integrators:
- Vehicle connectivity solutions (V2X, ADS, etc.) linked to China or Russia could be banned or restricted.
- CPaaS offerings in mobility, logistics, or smart city verticals should review vendor dependencies and future-proof integrations.
All FCC Licensees and Authorized Entities:
- New NPRM proposes a uniform foreign ownership disclosure framework.
- Applies to a wide scope: wireless licensees, VoIP providers, spectrum holders, satellite services, and Section 214 authorization holders.
- Non-compliance could result in license jeopardy or fines once rules are finalized.
Signalmash Response
We are taking the following proactive steps:
- Conducting a full audit of our supply chain and testing/certification partners
- Reviewing our ownership and control structures to ensure continued eligibility and transparency
- Preparing internal processes to meet forthcoming FCC certification and reporting requirements
Signalmash remains 100% U.S.-compliant, with a secure-by-design infrastructure built for the demands of modern regulatory scrutiny.