FCC Probes Deeper: Cable Rules vs. Spy Threats?
Published Date: 7/27/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Second FNPRM) that seeks to further prevent evolving national security risks associated with submarine line terminal equipment (SLTEs) posed by foreign adversaries. The Second FNPRM seeks comment on the routine conditions that the Commission should consider to improve its oversight of SLTE owners and operators. The Second FNPRM seeks comment on whether the Commission should adopt routine conditions for cable landing licensees that are subject to our current licensing requirement, as amended. With respect to SLTE, the Second FNPRM also seeks comment on whether to consider consistent or differing routine conditions for cable landing licensees that own and/or operate SLTE on their licensed submarine cable, or owns an SLTE and either owns or leases the underlying fiber, capacity, or spectrum, or leases the SLTE and the underlying fiber, capacity, or spectrum to another entity. Finally, the Second FNPRM seeks comment on whether it should adopt any other routine conditions for submarine cable landing licensees, including SLTE owners and operators.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New Routine Conditions for SLTE Oversight
The FCC is asking whether it should adopt routine conditions that would require submarine cable landing licensees to ensure any entity that owns or operates submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) on their cable follows those conditions. The FCC seeks comment by August 26, 2026 on whether licensees must use contract terms or other mechanisms to make downstream SLTE owners/operators comply.
Possible Mandatory Cybersecurity Standards
The FCC is seeking comment on whether cable landing licensees and SLTE owners/operators should be required to implement and update enhanced cybersecurity and physical security plans consistent with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and guidance such as CISA CPGs or CIS Controls. Comments on this specific proposal are due August 26, 2026.
Paperwork and Reporting Burdens on Small Entities
The FCC proposes possible new or modified information collection requirements (including annual reports for certain licensees and SLTE Foreign Adversary Annual Reports) and explicitly asks for comment on reducing paperwork burdens for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due August 26, 2026.
Opt-In to Ten National Security Standards
The FCC asks whether existing licensees that can meet ten national security standards should be allowed to file a petition to opt in to those standards so that an existing national security agreement (NSA) would be deemed terminated if the petition is granted. The FCC seeks comments on this opt-in mechanism by August 26, 2026.
Standard Questions for Applicants with Foreign Ownership
The FCC is continuing to require applicants with reportable foreign ownership to submit responses to the Standard Questions directly to the Committee at the time they file, but it seeks comment on whether such applicants should be exempt from that requirement when seeking exemption from referral. Comments on this issue are due August 26, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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