Submarine Cables
Submarine cables provide the primary means of connectivity – voice, data and Internet – between the United States and the rest of the world as well as connectivity between the mainland United States and consumers in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and various agencies are involved in the oversight of the submarine cables and/or other undersea activities that may impact submarine cable infrastructure. The FCC’s International Bureau grants licenses authorizing cable landing license applicants to own and operate submarine cables and associated landing stations in the United States.
Commission’s Role
International Bureau
To land or operate a submarine cable in the United States, submarine cable operators must obtain a cable landing license from the FCC. The FCC’s International Bureau, Telecommunications and Analysis Division (TAD) issues licenses to own and operate submarine cables and associated landing stations in the United States pursuant to the Commission’s authority under the Cable Landing License Act of 1921 and Executive Order No. 10530. The Division also authorizes modifications and transfers or assignments of existing cable landing licenses. Before granting the application, the FCC coordinates with the Department of State and any other agencies, as needed.
International Bureau Contacts
For submarine cable licensing matters, please contact:
- David Krech, Associate Division Chief, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-7443
- Jodi Cooper, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-2064
- Arthur Lechtman, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-1465
For matters related to interagency submarine coordination, please contact
- Denise Coca, Division Chief, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-0574
- Gabrielle Kim, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-0730
For matters related to circuit capacity reporting, please contact:
- Stacey Ashton, Telecommunications & Analysis Division, International Bureau at (202) 418-2214
International Bureau Related Links
- Applying for Submarine Cable Landing Licenses and Other Relevant Information
- Pending and Granted Submarine Cable Applications
- Circuit Capacity Reports
- Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB)/Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC)
- CSRIC is an advisory committee of the FCC. Between 2013-2017, the FCC tasked CSRIC IV and CSRIC V to examine, among other things, issues affecting undersea cables. CSRIC V provided recommendations for enhancing coordination between and among federal, state, and local agencies, and for promoting diversity of routes and landings.
- CSRIC is an advisory committee of the FCC. Between 2013-2017, the FCC tasked CSRIC IV and CSRIC V to examine, among other things, issues affecting undersea cables. CSRIC V provided recommendations for enhancing coordination between and among federal, state, and local agencies, and for promoting diversity of routes and landings.
Other Agencies' Roles
Activities Related to Undersea Cables
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps)