The US Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules for foreign companies applying for licences to access the US telecom market. The changes to the FCC’s rules and procedures follow an order from the US President in April to set up a new cross-agency Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector.
The changes formalise what was previously known as the 'Team Telecom' review, where various departments assessed licence applications from foreign operators to help the FCC assess security risks and other national interests. The FCC said the new procedures will improve the transparency and timeliness of the cross-agency review, setting firm timeframes for the Executive Branch agencies to complete the process.
The review process covers applications to provide international telecommunications services, deploy submarine cable licenses, and transfer control of a licence to a carrier with reportable foreign ownership. It requires applicants to answer a standardized set of national security and law enforcement questions. It also provides for a 120-day initial review period followed by a discretionary 90-day additional assessment. Furthermore, applicants must make particular certifications to help protect national security and law enforcement interests, such as certify that they will comply with Commission rules, designate a US citizen or permanent resident as a point of contact for legal request, and maintain the accuracy and completeness of applications or petitions.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai said the new rules should help speed up the approval process. Under the previous Team Telecom reviews, it took an average 260 days for the FCC to act on applications in the period 2016-19.
