FCC Tightens Rules on Secret Submarine Cables
Published Date: 7/8/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC just updated the rules for companies that want to land submarine cables—those underwater internet highways—on U.S. shores. These changes help protect national security, law enforcement, and trade interests by requiring new info from applicants. The new rules kick in on July 8, 2026, so affected companies should get ready to share more details, but no new fees are mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New reporting forms and filings
Companies and state/local/tribal governments that apply for or hold submarine cable landing licenses must provide new and revised information through new forms (for example: Foreign Adversary Annual Report, One-Time Covered List Certification, One-Time Cybersecurity and Physical Security Certification). OMB approved these collections on June 26, 2026, effective July 8, 2026, with estimated total annual burden of 14,180 hours and total annual cost of $4,354,490 for the set of forms under OMB Control No. 3060-0944.
Foreign-adversary denial presumption
The Commission adopted definitions of 'foreign adversary' and will presumptively preclude or deny grant of applications from applicants owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary or entities identified on the Commission's Covered List. There is also a presumption of denial where an applicant seeks to land a submarine cable or add a new landing located in a foreign adversary country.
Ban on certain IRU and lease arrangements
Licensees are prohibited from entering into certain indefeasible rights of use (IRU) or capacity lease arrangements when those arrangements would give a foreign adversary-controlled entity the ability to install, own, or manage Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) on a U.S. submarine cable landing. Licensees owned/controlled by or subject to foreign adversaries must also file a Foreign Adversary Annual Report.
New annual capacity reporting and data sharing
Filing entities must now file a single Capacity Holder Report (replacing separate Cable Operator Reports) that reports ownership and use of capacity on domestic cables, identifies each sale/lease/purchase of a fiber pair or spectrum and its U.S. and foreign landing points, and provides certain SLTE information. The Commission also may share confidential capacity data filed under Sec. 43.82 with the Committee for assessment, DHS, and the State Department; OMB approved the annual circuit capacity collection on June 26, 2026 (OMB Control No. 3060-1156) with a total annual burden of 2,793 hours and total annual cost of $12,000.
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Key Dates
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