HKT says US order ‘ceased’ as firm reportedly agrees to exit American market

Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) has announced that an order from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requiring it to justify its operation in the United States has been ceased. The order, issued in October last year, was based on HKT's affiliation with China Unicom, which was listed on the FCC's Covered List due to national security concerns.

According to HKT's spokeswoman, the FCC's Order to Show Cause has been ceased and the company remains fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. HKT has stated that it will continue to deliver seamless, first-rate service to its customers using its established, world-class network. The FCC's decision to target HKT and other Chinese telecommunications companies was part of a broader effort to prevent Chinese carriers from providing telecommunications services in the US in order to protect national security.

Other affected Chinese carriers included China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. The Chinese embassy in Washington has expressed opposition to the use of national security safeguards to politically target trade and technology, stating that China will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its firms. HKT is the largest shareholder of California-based Digitalsystem Technology, which was also recently added to the FCC's list of firms posing risks to US national security due to its partnerships with HKT, PCCW, China Mobile, and China Unicom.