WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden of the United States has approved legislation prohibiting Chinese technology companies like as Huawei and ZTE from obtaining network equipment licences in the United States. Prior to being approved by the President, the 'Secure Equipment Act of 2021' had bipartisan backing, according to ZDNet.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) identified Huawei and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks last year, making it more difficult for American companies to buy their equipment. The FCC is no longer compelled to assess or approve any authorisation application for equipment that poses an obvious risk to national security under the new law. Since March of this year, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has made repeated requests for the legislation to be passed.

"Once we've assessed that Huawei or other equipment constitutes an unacceptable national security risk, it makes no sense to enable the same equipment to be purchased and installed in our communications networks without the use of federal funds. The concern is the presence of these unsecured devices in our networks, not the source of financing utilised to buy them "Carr had stated previously. Other Chinese companies targeted as national security concerns include Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, and Dahua Technology Company, in addition to Huawei and ZTE.

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