The FCC plans to secure US-connected undersea cables from foreign adversaries like China and Russia. A proposed rule will deny applications from certain foreign-controlled entities for cable projects, while banning specific equipment in subsea cable infrastructure. The urgency arises from the pivotal role these cables play in global internet traffic. However, past efforts, such as the rip-and-replace program for Chinese networking equipment, show challenges in removing foreign influence. The FCC continues to face difficulties in implementing these changes, with delays and funding shortages reported.
"As the US builds out the datacenters and other infrastructure necessary to lead the world in AI and next-gen technologies, these cables are more important than ever," Carr said in a canned statement, noting that submarine cables carry 99 percent of the world's internet traffic, and are facing increased threats from countries like China and Russia.
The proposed rule isn't public and the Commission declined to provide us with a copy or provide answers to any questions we asked.
The category of covered equipment may end up looking something like the rip-and-replace order signed in 2021 that directed telecoms to tear out networking equipment made by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE.
Despite kicking off four years ago, the FCC is still trying to make rip and replace happen. As of July 2024, the Commission was warning that most telcos were a long way off from meeting the program's demands, and were coming up billions short to fund the effort.
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