FCC Proposes Faster Cables but Tighter Security from Adversaries
Published Date: 10/27/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC wants to make sure submarine internet cables landing in the U.S. stay safe from foreign threats while speeding up new cable projects. They’re proposing new rules that require cable owners to report on risky foreign connections and use trusted tech, with some licenses getting automatic approval if they meet certain standards. Comments on these changes are open until late December 2025, and these rules could affect companies that own or operate these cables.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Excluding Foreign-Adversary Entities From Blanket License
The FCC proposes to exclude from the blanket license any entity that would be subject to the foreign adversary and/or character presumptive disqualifying conditions adopted in the Report and Order. Entities meeting those disqualifying conditions would not receive the blanket license and could face further review or denial.
SLTE Owners Must Become Licensees
The FCC proposes to require any entity that owns or operates Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) to become a cable landing licensee. This proposal appears in the FCC's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted August 7, 2025 and released August 13, 2025 and would amend Sec. 1.70003 to include SLTE owners and operators as licensees.
Blanket License for Existing SLTE Owners
The FCC proposes to grant a blanket cable landing license to existing SLTE owners and operators to reduce the need for individual initial or modification applications. The blanket license would apply to entities that own or operate SLTE on commissioned-licensed submarine cable systems prior to the effective date of any new rules adopted in this proceeding.
Annual Foreign Adversary Report for SLTEs
The FCC proposes an annual SLTE Foreign Adversary Annual Report for SLTE owners/operators that meet one or more criteria: (1) owned/controlled by a foreign adversary per Sec. 1.70001(g); (2) identified on the Commission's Covered List; (3) have purchased or use equipment/services on the Covered List in the submarine cable infrastructure; (4) had a Commission authorization/license denied, revoked, or terminated on national security or law enforcement grounds (and affiliates); or (5) the submarine cable lands in, or the SLTE is located/operated from, a foreign adversary country per Sec. 1.70001(f).
Routine License Conditions for SLTE Owners
The FCC proposes routine conditions on the blanket license for SLTE owners/operators, including: (1) compliance with FCC rules and treaties; (2) not acquiring rights to handle U.S. traffic without section 214 authorization; (3) prior approval to affiliate with a foreign carrier; (4) filing annual circuit capacity reports under Sec. 43.82; (5) revocability after due notice; and (6) complying with SLTE Foreign Adversary Annual Report requirements, among others.
Faster Processing If Applications Meet Standards
While this FNPRM is pending, the FCC will apply streamlined processing and will not defer action on a submarine cable application unless Executive Branch agencies, including the Committee, provide specific and compelling national security, law enforcement, or other justifications. The FCC also proposes presumptively excluding some submarine cable applications from referral to Executive Branch agencies if they meet certain standards to expedite deployment.
Potential Requirement to Remove Covered Equipment
The FCC seeks comment on requiring existing licensees to remove from their submarine cable systems any covered equipment or services within a specified timeframe prior to license expiration. This is a proposed option the FCC asks about in the FNPRM to address national security and law enforcement risks.
Encouraging Trusted U.S. and Allied Technologies
The FCC seeks comment on how it can use its authority under the Cable Landing License Act and Executive Order 10530 to incentivize and encourage adoption and use of trusted technologies produced by the United States and its foreign allies. The FNPRM asks for input on incentive approaches to increase use of trusted suppliers.
30-Day Update Requirement for SLTE Changes
The FCC proposes that SLTE owners and operators must notify the Commission within thirty (30) days of changes in: (1) point of contact; (2) name of the SLTE owner/operator or submarine cable system; (3) ownership resulting in becoming owned/controlled by a foreign adversary; and (4) SLTE location such as address or coordinates.
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Key Dates
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