Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would safeguard the U.S. submarine cable infrastructure.
The Undersea Cable Protection Act would amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the commerce secretary from requiring authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a federal or state agency previously authorized the activities.
The bill also authorizes the commerce secretary to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any federal agency action described in that section regarding the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.
“Undersea cables are a critical component in our digital economy protecting America’s national security,” U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who introduced the bill, said. “The Undersea Cable Protection Act would ensure that undersea cables can be built and preserved without duplicative, burdensome, and unnecessary federal regulations.”
U.S. Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year.
The bill has the endorsement of the International Connectivity Coalition, the Internet and Competitive Networks Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association.