HKT Seeks โคExtension โto Respond to FCC inquiry Regarding Potential License Revocation
Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) has requested an extension to โฃrespond to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) inquiry โthat could lead to the revocation of its U.S. business license. The โขcompany submitted the request on October 31, citing โคthe โฃcomplexity of the inquiry adn the need forโ coordination with entities across multiple international regions.
Theโค FCC’sโข request for data involves 37โค separate data points from HKT’s five entities, โคdetailed acrossโข nearly six โคpages, and requires supporting documentation.โข HKT argues โthat a thorough responseโ necessitates moreโค than 30 โคdays to compile,particularly given the ongoing federal government shutdown inโ the United States. The company expressed concern that โeven โwith anโฃ extensionโข to december 15, ensuring the โcompleteness and accuracyโฃ of its response-and the โฃFCC’s ability to complete a timely review-remains doubtful.
The โคFCC’sโข inquiry stemsโค from national security concerns, with Bloomberg reporting the potential revocation is linked โto HKT’s alleged involvement in a Panama โportโ crisis and โperceived national security risks. This development adds to escalating tensions between โขtheโค U.S. andโข China regardingโฃ technology and infrastructure. The outcome โฃof the FCC’s review could substantially impact HKT’s operations and โfuture businessโ prospects within the โคUnited โขStates.