NTIA not Sold on New Licensing for Subsea Cable Terminals

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 – The White House’s top telecom advisor isn’t keen on another agency’s proposal to expand licensing requirements to companies operating submarine cable terminals.

The Federal Communications Commission sought comment in August on issuing blanket licenses to companies operating those terminals, where submarine cables connect with terrestrial broadband networks. 

A licensing regime for those companies has been opposed by industry groups, but the FCC said in its August notice that federal law enforcement agencies had “identified substantial national security risks associated with” submarine line terminal equipment, or SLTE. Trade groups urged the agency in December not to move forward, arguing it would be redundant and burdensome.