FCC plans to ban Chinese technology in underwater cables

The Federal Communication Commission plans to vote on new rules that will prohibit the use of Chinese technology in submarine cables, according to a press release by FCC chairman Brendan Carr. The proposed rules will apply to any company in the existing FCC enterprise list, which is a « unacceptable risk to the United States’ national security.

In addition to « prohibiting the use of » covered « equipment, the new FCC rules will also limit the ability of Chinese companies to obtain a license to build or operate cables that connect with the United States. Underwater or underwater cables are a key part of the internet infrastructure and a potential website of the foreign spy in the eyes of FCC. They benefit from US cable providers while injuring the country’s enemies.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, FCC took similar steps to prevent the use of Chinese mobile carriers in the United States. Trump signed a law that required carriers to « tear and replace the old Huawei and ZTE mobile infrastructure, and FCC provided funding to make it happen. However, the new rules around the underwater cables are offered by a very different committee.

Currently, there are only three FCC commissioners, of the typical five. According to CAR, the Commission uses a much more aggressive approach to regulate the telecommunications industry bordering on the first amendment. Kar has threatened to investigate companies for their diversity, justice and inclusion policies, and is committed to not approving the mergers of companies that insist on retaining them.

The FCC is expected to vote on the new rules on August 7. In addition to being in line with past FCC actions, they could be justified as a way of providing US infrastructure after the widespread « salt typhoon » were hacking affected US carriers and other companies last year.