seniorspectrumnewspaper – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on new rules that ban Chinese technology in undersea cables connecting to the United States. According to a press release by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. These proposed regulations focus on companies the FCC already lists as posing “an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.” The new rules would prohibit the use of specified Chinese equipment in submarine cable infrastructure and restrict Chinese companies from receiving licenses to build or operate such cables.
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Undersea cables form the backbone of global internet infrastructure, carrying the vast majority of international data traffic. The FCC sees these cables as vulnerable points for potential foreign espionage. By banning or limiting Chinese technology in this sector. The commission aims to protect U.S. communication networks and reduce the influence of entities linked to perceived adversaries.
The initiative follows previous FCC actions against Chinese telecom firms. During former President Donald Trump’s administration. The FCC required U.S. mobile carriers to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from their networks. That campaign, known as “rip and replace,” included government funding to help carriers transition away from these providers. While the current commission operates under different leadership and political dynamics, the goal remains consistent: securing America’s telecommunications infrastructure from foreign threats.
Broader FCC Strategy and Upcoming Vote
The FCC plans to hold a vote on these new undersea cable rules on August 7. The commission currently operates with three members instead of the usual five, and Chairman Brendan Carr has taken a notably aggressive stance on regulating telecommunications. Beyond national security, Carr has pursued investigations into companies’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and blocked mergers tied to those practices, raising some First Amendment concerns.
Despite these broader controversies, the new undersea cable regulations align with the FCC’s ongoing national security efforts. They come in the wake of the “Salt Typhoon” cyberattack last year, which targeted U.S. carriers and exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Strengthening protections for undersea cables could reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
If approved, the rules will impact Chinese companies’ ability to participate in the U.S. submarine cable market significantly. This move could benefit American providers by reducing competition from foreign firms considered security risks. However, it also reflects escalating tensions between the U.S. and China in the tech and telecom sectors.
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Overall, the FCC’s proposed ban marks a continuation of efforts to tighten control over critical communications infrastructure. Its passage could reshape how undersea cables are built and operated, emphasizing security and reducing foreign influence. The industry and stakeholders will closely watch the August 7 vote for signs of the FCC’s future regulatory direction.
