Red GPS?: Gallagher Calls out US Carriers for Using Chinese & Russian Tech

Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party wrote to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel following reports that U.S. cell phones and other devices are receiving and processing signals from Chinese and Russian satellites in violation of the FCC’s rules.

Most of the modern economy relies on satellite GPS systems – the energy grid, stock exchanges, aviation, and wireless 9-1-1 services. The FCC allows U.S. and European satellites to provide the connectivity for these crucial services and devices.

In the letter, Chairman Gallagher writes, “Current FCC rules permit mobile and other GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite Systems] receivers to receive and process signals from the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and any foreign GNSS that has been approved through a process the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted in 2011. 

To date, only the European Galileo GNSS has been approved.  However, we have become aware that U.S. mobile phones and other connected devices are receiving and processing signals from the PRC BeiDou and Russian GLONASS GNSS constellations, in violation of the FCC’s rules.”

Gallagher continues, “It appears one reason that carriers and device and component manufacturers are using these unauthorized signals is that the United States is woefully behind in its deployment and activation of its next generation of GPS satellites. However, Galileo provides access to a full constellation of the most advanced GNSS technologies and is operated by our close allies in the European Union. As such, there is little need for the FCC to waive its own rule to allow U.S. devices to use unauthorized foreign signals.”

Chairman Gallagher posed a series of questions to the FCC Chairwoman, seeking answers on enforcement measures the FCC levies on the use of unauthorized satellites, the authorization of new satellite systems from U.S. allies, and the FCC’s analysis of the national security risks posed by satellites from adversarial nations.

Click HERE to read a copy of the letter