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Explore our coverage of government and politics.

VTel Case Raises International Cybersecurity Concerns

VTel CEO Michel Guite
Steve Zind
/
VPR File
Michel Guite is president of Vermont Telephone Company in Springfield. Before it signs a full interconnection agreement with another carrier, VTel says that company must promise it does not use equipment made by Huawei, a leading Chinese manufacturer.

Concerns that Chinese technology may threaten U.S. cybersecurity have surfaced in Vermont.

Vermont Telephone Company, based in Springfield, says it does not want to fully link its network to an out-of-state telecom company because that firm uses equipment made by a leading Chinese manufacturer.

The Trump Administration has targeted the Chinese-owned conglomerate Huawei because of fears its technology could undermine the security of phone and computer networks.

The Vermont dispute surfaced in a hearing Monday at the state Public Utility Commission.

FirstLight, based in Albany, N.Y., wants a full interconnection agreement between its network and one operated by the Vermont Telephone Company, or VTel. The agreements are pretty standard, and would allow customers to keep their phone number if they go to the other company.

But VTel raises an issue that’s a top priority in the White House and in capitals around the world - the spread of Chinese-made technology in global telecom infrastructure.

“What we’re concerned about here is an unprecedented cybersecurity challenge,” said VTel lawyer Anthony Iarrapino. “And I think you see how grave those are based on the precautions of our own government.”

Iarrapino argued VTel and its customers are at risk if the network is connected to a company using equipment made by Huawei, a leading manufacturer of routers, switches and other telecom technology. He said VTel could also be hurt financially because the federal government won’t do business with companies that use Huawei.

“So this is not really a typical interconnection dispute,” he said.

FirstLight did not address national security issues at Monday’s hearing at the Public Utility Commission. Company lawyer Gregory Kendall challenged VTel’s claims that it uses Huawei equipment.

VTel wants FirstLight to sign an agreement promising it does not use Huawei equipment. FirstLight, which is owned by a French multinational, so far has balked at making that promise.

The Vermont case was continued, and the two sides promised to work on a schedule for more hearings.

John worked for VPR in 2001-2021 as reporter and News Director. Previously, John was a staff writer for the Sunday Times Argus and the Sunday Rutland Herald, responsible for breaking stories and in-depth features on local issues. He has also served as Communications Director for the Vermont Health Care Authority and Bureau Chief for UPI in Montpelier.
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