The Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday that it intends to adopt rules prohibiting companies from connecting submarine communications cables to the United States using Chinese technology or equipment.

Brendan Carr, FCC chairperson, said that foreign adversaries like China have been threatening submarine cable infrastructure in the past few years. "We will take action to protect our submarine cable infrastructure against foreign adversary access, ownership and cyber threats."

Since years, the United States has expressed concern about China's handling of network traffic and potential espionage. The U.S. is concerned about data security in relation to the network of 400 subsea cable systems that carry 99% of all international internet traffic.

Since 2020, U.S. regulators were instrumental in canceling four cables that had been backed by those who wanted to connect the United States and Hong Kong.

In response to growing security concerns and as part of an ongoing review of the regulations governing the links that handle almost all of the world's internet traffic, the FCC announced last year it was examining new rules for undersea cables. The FCC announced that it would consider banning the use of equipment and services for those undersea cables from companies listed on a FCC list as posing threats to U.S. national security. These companies include Huawei, ZTE China Telecom, and China Mobile.

Carr stated that the FCC was taking steps to "protect our submarine cables from foreign adversary access, ownership and ownership as well as cyber threats and physical threats."

The FCC is also seeking comments on any additional measures that could be taken to ensure the security of submarine cables against foreign equipment.

Investigations into possible sabotage were prompted by the cutting of two fibre-optic underwater telecommunication cables at the Baltic Sea.

In 2023, Taiwan blamed two Chinese vessels for cutting the two cables supporting internet access on Matsu Islands. Houthi attacks may have caused the destruction of three cables that provide internet service to Europe. Reporting by David Shepardson Jasper Ward Bhargav Asharya, Editing by Caitlin Adler and Leslie Adler

(source: Reuters)