US FCC toughens submarine communication cable rules

WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to toughen oversight of submarine communications cables that handle 99% of international internet traffic, proposing rules that will make it harder for Chinese companies to provide equipment and fast-track approvals for trusted U.S. tech firms.

The FCC said it was planning to require licenses for the first time for operators of submarine line terminal equipment, which performs ‌the most critical ⁠function ⁠of a submarine cable system by connecting to U.S. terrestrial facilities.