HK Telecom Order to Show Cause 214
The FCC directs HKT and four wholly owned subsidiaries to show cause why their domestic and international section 214 authority should not be revoked or terminated based on national-security, law-enforcement, Covered List, compliance, and character concerns.
What it does The order identifies HKT’s twelve international section 214 authorizations and its domestic blanket authority, and directs HKT to explain why the Commission should not revoke its domestic authority and revoke and terminate its international authority. PCCW Global, PCCW Global Limited, Gateway Global Communications, and PCCW Global (UK) Limited must explain why their domestic authority should not be revoked. The required response covers ownership and control, management, foreign-government relationships, services, infrastructure, customer records, equipment, network operations, and compliance with the 2001 national-security agreement.
Who it affects The order directly affects HKT and its four subsidiaries, their U.S. and international telecommunications operations, customers, and counterparties. It also concerns China Unicom, SASAC, and the FBI, DOJ, and DHS agreement associated with the authorizations.
Why it matters The FCC treats HKT and its subsidiaries as affiliates of China Unicom (Americas) Operations Limited and therefore as covered by the Covered List’s treatment of affiliates. The order applies the Commission’s prior reasoning about PRC ownership, influence, and control while preserving an opportunity to respond; it is not itself a final revocation.
Key dates and numbers
- Adopted and released October 15, 2025; response due within 30 calendar days.
- HKT holds 12 international section 214 authorizations.
- The order requests ownership and control information beginning at the 5% threshold.
- HKT’s international authorities date from 1998–2003; the relevant national-security agreement dates from November 29, 2001.