The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is preparing a major regulatory package to ban Chinese-made equipment and technology from undersea internet cables that connect to American shores. These submarine cables carry nearly all global internet traffic and support trillions of dollars in digital and financial communication.
Read Also:CoinDCX Launches India’s Largest Crypto Recovery Bounty After Rs 368 Crore Hack
At the heart of the proposal is a “presumption of denial” policy for any licensing that involves Chinese or other foreign adversary technology. Requests to build, operate, or lease capacity on U.S.-connected cables would be denied by default if they include parts from flagged companies. The move also mandates new physical and cybersecurity standards and restricts the use of unspecified “covered” equipment in cable systems.
This policy effort is grounded in national security concerns. U.S. regulators have highlighted past incidents—such as the suspected sabotage of Baltic Sea cables and prior damage near Taiwan—that illustrate how undersea infrastructure can be vulnerable. Reports also warn that cable tapping by foreign intelligence may be easier when hardware is sourced from potentially hostile entities, feeding into broader espionage fears.
Read Also:Critical SharePoint flaw exploited worldwide
The rule also encourages U.S. investment, aiming to boost domestic submarine cable repair ships and trusted infrastructure while streamlining licensing for companies that meet security criteria. This approach aligns with the recent America First policy emphasizing economic and digital sovereignty.
The proposal marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to remove Chinese influence from sensitive tech infrastructure. Earlier bans on domestic Huawei and ZTE telecom equipment set the stage, but extending restrictions to undersea cables underscores the strategic importance of digital supply chains.
Read Also:Nvidia Begins Production of GB300 AI Server Chips
If approved, the rules will take effect following an FCC vote expected in early August. Observers note that enforcement may prove challenging as Chinese firms remain among the largest suppliers and technical partners for cable projects. The outcome will provide important insight into how geopolitics is increasingly shaping foundational internet systems.
