Federal regulators would face deadlines for undersea cable license decisions

The FCC would approve or deny accepted cable license applications by fixed deadlines. Decision deadlines would cover pending and future applications once all required rules take effect. Automatic approval would cover only applications filed on or after that date. Automatically approved licenses would still require the applicable security measures. Automatic approval would occur the day after the applicable decision deadline passes.

The FCC would make security safeguards a condition of cable licenses under this system. The safeguards would cover supply chains, physical security, and plans to manage cyber and physical security risks. Stronger safeguards would apply where standard rules leave national security risks unaddressed. Further safeguards would require a federal security committee request and an FCC finding that the standard or stronger rules leave a national security risk unaddressed. The FCC would adopt these rules within 180 days after the federal cable security policy is submitted to it.

The FCC would limit which applications it sends to the federal security committee. One ownership option would cover applicants or affiliates with the same sole owner licensed in the 48 months before applying. That ownership option would require no meaningful ownership changes since the earlier license. Other options would cover cables at least 40% owned by entities meeting that test or applicants meeting other FCC ownership criteria. Applicants could also certify which security rules apply. Both certifications would be needed to avoid referral through this route.

Early cable landing would not authorize normal service before the FCC issues a license. This limit would apply to applicants using the bill's process for bringing a cable ashore before licensing. Applicants could still request separate temporary permission from the FCC.