U.S. Regulator Warns Hong Kong’s HKT May Lose Access to American Networks

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday it is taking steps to revoke the network access of Hong Kong telecom provider HKT Trust and HKT Ltd, citing national security concerns linked to China. The decision could cut off one of Hong Kong’s largest telecom operators from interconnecting with U.S. carriers.

HKT, a subsidiary of PCCW Group, has been asked to explain why its current authorizations should not be withdrawn. These permits currently allow the company to exchange voice and data traffic with American networks.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the move is part of broader efforts to safeguard U.S. communications systems from “foreign adversaries.” “The FCC will continue to protect America’s networks from risks posed by entities linked to China,” Carr said in a statement.

The action follows similar bans on Chinese state-linked firms including China Telecom, China Unicom, and Pacific Networks. China Unicom, which holds an 18.4% stake in PCCW, lost its own U.S. access in 2022 for the same reasons.

Following the announcement, HKT shares fell more than 5% in Hong Kong trading, while PCCW dropped 3.6%. HKT said it is reviewing the FCC’s order and will cooperate with authorities.

The decision comes as President Donald Trump intensifies trade measures against China, expanding restrictions on Chinese technology and investment. The move also adds pressure to Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li’s business empire, which has faced growing scrutiny amid rising U.S.-China tensions.

If finalized, the FCC’s action would further isolate Chinese and Hong Kong telecom operators from the U.S. market, underscoring Washington’s heightened vigilance over cybersecurity and data privacy. As geopolitical frictions deepen, global telecom networks are increasingly becoming the latest front in the U.S.-China technology rivalry.