FCC adopts new rules for submarine cable landing licenses to address national security risks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Second Report and Order that establishes a regulatory regime for licensing owners and operators of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE). The order introduces a blanket license for certain current and future SLTE owners and operators who are not currently licensees, streamlining compliance for qualifying entities.

The FCC also adopted routine conditions and reporting requirements for SLTE owners and operators. These include national security-related conditions and certification requirements designed to mitigate evolving risks associated with submarine cable infrastructure.

To expedite submarine cable deployment, the FCC adopted an approach that presumptively exempts applications meeting ten national security standards from referral to Executive Branch agencies. This aims to reduce administrative delays while maintaining security oversight.

The order reflects the FCC's effort to modernize rules governing submarine cable landing licenses, ensuring they address contemporary national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy risks posed by advanced SLTE capabilities.