The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a ban on the use of Chinese technology in undersea cables.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the plan to address national security concerns.

The proposed rules would apply to entities identified as posing “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States.”

The rules would also prevent Chinese companies from getting licenses to build or operate submarine cables connected to the US.

These cables are vital to global internet infrastructure and have been flagged by the FCC as potential targets for foreign espionage.

The FCC believes this move could enhance the security of American infrastructure.

🔗 Source: Engadget

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Undersea cables: The critical invisible infrastructure powering global communications

The FCC’s proposal targets infrastructure that is remarkably vital yet invisible to most people. Over 95% of international data travels through undersea cables, which facilitate approximately $10 trillion in daily financial transactions 1.

This vast network consists of roughly 400 active cables spanning more than 1.3 million kilometers globally, forming the backbone of our connected world despite being largely unknown to the general public 1.

The vulnerability of this infrastructure has become increasingly apparent, with 100-200 cases of cable damage occurring annually, primarily from fishing and anchoring activities, though recent incidents in the Baltic and Red Seas have raised concerns about deliberate sabotage 2.

The strategic importance of these cables has prompted NATO to formally recognize them as critical infrastructure requiring enhanced monitoring and protection, marking a shift toward treating digital connectivity as a national security priority 1.

This FCC move represents an escalation from previous network security measures, extending concerns from cellular infrastructure to the foundational pathways of global data transfer.

2️⃣ The systematic exclusion of Chinese telecom technology from U.S. infrastructure

The FCC’s proposed ban on Chinese technology in undersea cables follows a clear pattern of systematically removing Chinese telecommunications equipment from U.S. infrastructure over multiple administrations.