Key Facts
• July 16, 2025: FCC announced new rules banning Chinese tech in submarine cables.
• Over 400 submarine cables handle 99% of global internet traffic.
• FCC aims to protect cables from cyber and physical threats by foreign adversaries.
• Since 2020, four US-Hong Kong cable projects have been halted.
• Companies like Huawei, ZTE, China Telecom, and China Mobile are under scrutiny.
• FCC reviewed submarine cable regulations in 2024 due to rising security concerns.
Summary
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to prohibit the use of Chinese technology and equipment in submarine communication cables connecting to the US. This decision aims to safeguard the cables, which handle 99% of global internet traffic, from potential cyber and physical threats posed by foreign adversaries. The US has long expressed concerns over potential espionage risks linked to Chinese companies like Huawei, ZTE, China Telecom, and China Mobile. Since 2020, regulatory actions have already blocked four proposed cables between the US and Hong Kong. In 2024, the FCC began reviewing submarine cable regulations to address growing national security concerns. These measures reflect the US’s broader efforts to secure critical communication infrastructure.
