US seeks to block China from supplying undersea telecom cable technology

US targets Chinese tech in undersea cable plans

The US government is preparing new regulations to block Chinese technology and equipment from being used in undersea cables connected to American networks.

This strategic move reflects growing concerns over potential espionage and cyber threats from China, particularly regarding critical communication infrastructure.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spearheads these efforts, underscoring how submarine cables have become essential in the digital age by carrying 99% of global internet traffic.

FCC cites recent sabotage threats as justification

Citing examples of recent cable damage in Europe and Asia, including Baltic Sea incidents and attacks near Taiwan, the FCC emphasized the physical vulnerability of undersea cables.

These incidents reportedly involved Chinese vessels or proxy actors. Such sabotage risks, alongside potential cyber threats, are key reasons behind the proposed US restrictions.

By acting now, regulators hope to secure this critical infrastructure against physical tampering and digital intrusions.

China’s role in cable manufacturing raises red flags

Chinese firms like Huawei and HMN Tech supply key technologies used in global undersea cables. Though Huawei sold its submarine cable business, US officials argue its influence persists.

Given concerns over potential Beijing-directed espionage, the FCC aims to prevent Chinese firms from directly or indirectly embedding their technologies in US-connected cable projects.

The move reflects broader fears that critical digital arteries could be exploited for surveillance.

Undersea cables are viewed as intelligence gold mines

US intelligence experts describe undersea cables as “surveillance gold mines,” with spy agencies able to tap cables landing on their territory. Concerns extend beyond physical sabotage to the manipulation and interception of data.

Preventing Chinese technology from underpinning these cables is thus seen as a matter of national security, as the cables handle sensitive government, corporate, and private communications globally.

FCC to vote on China-focused cable restrictions soon

The Federal Communications Commission will vote on these proposed measures on August 7. The rules will block cable projects involving Chinese equipment from receiving licenses to connect to US networks if approved.

The FCC also plans to implement stricter oversight of future projects, signaling a long-term commitment to securing America’s digital infrastructure from foreign adversaries, primarily China.

Rules will impact both new cables and future upgrades

Once enacted, these new rules won’t just affect new cable construction. Future upgrades, repairs, and expansions introducing Chinese components will also be under regulatory scrutiny.

US officials want to ensure the entire lifecycle of undersea cables remains secure, from installation through to maintenance, preventing vulnerabilities from emerging over time due to compromised equipment.

Existing Chinese cables face a limited immediate impact

Notably, current cables already using Chinese equipment won’t be forcibly decommissioned under the new rules. The restrictions primarily apply to future projects seeking new licenses.

However, regulators are considering policies that may eventually limit Chinese involvement in maintenance or capacity leasing on existing cables, potentially expanding the scope of restrictions in the coming years.

FCC highlights submarine cables as key AI infrastructure

Submarine cables aren’t just about basic internet access anymore. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stressed their critical role in supporting US data centers and AI infrastructure.

As companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon build vast AI networks, these cables will underpin next-generation technologies. Protecting them from foreign interference is framed as essential to maintaining America’s technological and economic leadership.

Economic security is framed as national security

Carr emphasized that “economic security is national security,” echoing a stance championed by President Trump. The US government views control over critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables, as fundamental to preserving national interests.

These new regulations reflect a broader policy direction that treats technological dominance and secure communications as strategic priorities in an era of geopolitical rivalry with China.

Salt Typhoon hack accelerates regulatory push

The decision to advance these restrictions was partly spurred by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese cyber campaign targeting US telecom networks. Ongoing struggles to mitigate this attack revealed weaknesses in the current infrastructure.

Officials argue that limiting Chinese technology in undersea cables will prevent future vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of similar attacks compromising critical communication links.

US telecom giants support tightened cable regulations

Major American tech firms like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon stand to benefit from the new rules. US companies gain clearer paths to cable infrastructure expansion by restricting Chinese competitors.

The FCC also proposes streamlined licensing for American firms that meet strict security standards, encouraging domestic investment in undersea cable systems.

FCC proposal includes presumptive license denials

The FCC’s plan involves applying a “presumption of denial” for license applications involving Chinese-controlled entities or technology. This shift places the burden of proof on applicants to demonstrate security compliance.

By default, cables involving Chinese firms will be blocked unless proven otherwise, making it far harder for adversaries to circumvent new safeguards.

Leasing restrictions to limit Chinese access further

In addition to construction bans, the FCC plans to restrict Chinese firms from leasing capacity on cables operated by others.

This ensures that even if Chinese companies can’t build cables, they won’t easily gain indirect access to American networks through leased bandwidth. Such capacity leasing restrictions close loopholes that might otherwise allow adversarial data access.

Taiwan’s experiences highlight strategic vulnerabilities

Taiwan’s accusation that Chinese vessels cut the Matsu Islands’ undersea cables has been taken seriously by US authorities. These incidents underline how physically fragile undersea cable systems can be, especially in contested geopolitical regions.

US policymakers now regard cable security as a strategic concern, requiring robust protection from sabotage and surveillance.

Experts call this a step toward digital decoupling

Analysts view the proposed rules as part of a broader trend toward digital decoupling between the US and China. By systematically excluding Chinese firms from critical infrastructure like undersea cables, the US seeks to reclaim control over digital supply chains.

This strategy aims to sever potential espionage routes, even at the cost of disrupting global technological integration.

Curious how far this digital divide could go? See how the U.S. is tightening chip restrictions on China.

The next regulatory focus may include foreign cloud services

While current efforts focus on undersea cables, some security experts predict foreign-controlled cloud services could be the FCC’s next frontier.

As the US tightens restrictions on Chinese hardware in its physical infrastructure, regulatory scrutiny may soon expand to digital services handling sensitive American data, further solidifying national security through comprehensive digital protection.

Wondering how trade talks are shaping tech policy? See why the U.S. just rolled back chip design restrictions on China.

What do you think about the USA’s plan to ban all undersea telecommunication cables from China? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

Read More From This Brand:

• U.S. lifts curbs on chip‑design software to China
• Taiwan Adds Huawei, SMIC to Export List in Bold Move Against China
• China Quietly Admits Role in Cyber Attacks

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.