Page 104 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

FCC Launches First Review of Submarine Cable Rules Since 2001

The Federal Communications Commission a major review of submarine cable rules requirement for cable landing licenses
has voted to launch a major review of since 2001. “Oversight of submarine cables and, in the alternative, seeks comment
licensing rules surrounding submarine traces back even before the existence of on shortening the current 25-year license
cable rules. A new Notice of Proposed the commission itself,” the FCC’s release term.” As of Dec. 2022, the FCC reported
Rulemaking adopted by the Federal following vote stated. According to the that cable-landing licensees had more
Communications Commission (FCC) release, there are currently a total of 84 than 5.3 million Gbps of available capacity,
will begin a review of the regulations FCC-licensed submarine cable systems. with an additional 6.8 million Gbps in
surrounding submarine cables. The As part of the rulemaking notice approved planned capacity this year alone. “Today’s
rulemaking notice, approved Nov. 21 by Thursday, the FCC will also seek comment action continues the FCC’s recent efforts
the FCC, will now seek public comment on how the commission can improve to support national security,” Thursday’s
regarding how the commission can security and protection of submarine- release continued. “The commission has
streamline the rules around submarine cable infrastructure. “This proceeding proposed new rules that would require, for
cables to ensure efficient deployment. will look to streamline the agency’s the first time, companies with international
According to the FCC’s release following review process,” the release stated. “It telecommunications authorizations to file
the vote, the agency has not conducted proposes a three-year periodic reporting renewal applications with the FCC.”

FCC Establishes New Guidelines for National 4.9 GHz Band Manager

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on
October 18 to approve new rules supporting a nationwide Band
Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz band, as reported by the
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). The framework
seeks to improve coordination within the 4.9 GHz band, enhancing
public safety operations through the integration of current
technologies, such as 5G. The FCC outlined that a chosen Band
Manager will be granted a nationwide overlay license, allowing
for a spectrum-sharing agreement with the First Responder
Network Authority (FirstNet). This move is designed to maximize
the use of the 4.9 GHz band for public safety purposes while
protecting existing licensee operations from interference. The with both FCC and National Telecommunications and Information
FCC specified several key responsibilities for the national 4.9 Administration (NTIA) regulations, ensuring no harmful
GHz Band Manager. These include frequency coordination, interference affects current license holders. The FCC delegated
managing interference protections, and facilitating a spectrum- authority to its Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety
sharing agreement with FirstNet. The Band Manager is expected & Homeland Security Bureaus to manage the Band Manager
to encourage the adoption of the latest commercially available selection process. This includes establishing procedures for the
technologies to optimize public safety spectrum use. Additionally, formation of a selection committee, setting selection criteria, and
the Band Manager will be required to submit an annual report to identifying representatives to participate on the committee. The
the FCC on its activities. The FCC has mandated that any sharing bureaus will also determine the structure and oversight for this
agreement with FirstNet must include provisions for compliance selection process.

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