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Letter to FCC Chair on Chinese Internet Connectivity Modules

August 8, 2023
Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party today wrote to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting information about the threat of Chinese cellular modules infiltrating, tracking, and sabotaging American Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 'IoT devices' refers to any electronic device that could be connected to the internet, ranging from cars to refrigerators. To illustrate the impact of cellular modules in 'IoT devices', the lawmakers wrote that last year when Russian agents stole $5 million worth of John Deere tractors from a Ukrainian dealership, because the vehicles possessed cellular modules developed in the West, remote operators were able to shut down the tractors using the internet, leaving the Russian culprits stuck.

The lawmakers asked questions about potential security concerns involving cellular modules made by Chinese companies such as Quectel and Fibocom. Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi asked questions regarding the possibility that American devices like live-saving medical equipment, vehicles, and farm equipment could be accessed and controlled remotely from China if they are made with Chinese-made cellular modules.

In the letter, Chairman Gallagher and Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi wrote, "Connectivity modules are used in a wide variety of devices throughout the U.S., from consumer ‘smart devices’, to electric cars, to U.S. telecom networks regulated by the FCC. Serving as the link between the device and the internet, these modules have the capacity both to brick the device and to access the data flowing from the device to the web server that runs each device. As a result, if the CCP can control the module, it may be able to effectively exfiltrate data or shut down the IoT device. This raises particularly grave concerns in the context of critical infrastructure and any type of sensitive data."  The letter also notes that the FCC has already taken important steps to counter the nefarious influence of CCP-controlled technology in U.S. telecom networks.

The lawmakers requested the following information to assess how the FCC is addressing the threat:

  • Is the FCC, or other agencies with which it collaborates on national security issues, able to track the presence of Quectel, Fibocom, and other cellular IoT modules provided by PRC-based companies in the U.S.? Can the FCC provide further information about these modules in U.S. networks?

  • Does the FCC share our concerns about the presence of PRC cellular IoT modules in U.S. networks?

  • We understand that the FCC is considering whether to require measures to address individual component partsIs the FCC considering using the Covered List to tackle PRC cellular IoT modules? Could requiring certification for modules used in communications equipment be an effective means of countering PRC cellular IoT modules in U.S. networks? What other potential solutions exist in the view of the FCC?

  • Does the FCC require or desire further statutory authorities to combat the threat that PRC cellular IoT modules pose?  

View a copy of the letter HERE 

Issues: Critical Infrastructure/Cyber