On August 7, 2025, the FCC adopted new rules governing subsea cable landing licenses, marking the first major update in over two decades. This move reflects a broader shift in U.S. policy that treats economic security as national security, with implications for infrastructure deployment, investment strategy, and global data flows.
The new framework introduces formal definitions, streamlined licensing procedures, and a set of national security safeguards targeting foreign adversary exposure. While the rules promise faster approvals for low-risk projects, they also impose higher compliance costs and restrict international partnerships, particularly for operators with links to entities on the FCC’s Covered List.
In our latest Insight Note, we break down the key elements of the new rules, compare them to the legacy framework, and assess their impact on data center connectivity and AI infrastructure. We also explore strategic responses from industry players and offer a comparative view of international regulatory approaches.
You can download the full paper here to explore the details: