SECURE American Telecommunications Act

The SECURE American Telecommunications Act establishes new licensing requirements for submarine and terrestrial telecommunications cables connecting the United States to foreign countries. It prohibits issuing licenses for cables connecting to "foreign adversaries" or using equipment on a specific FCC list, and shifts licensing authority from the President to the Federal Communications Commission. The bill requires cable operators to report cybersecurity incidents within 24 hours and follow minimum physical and cybersecurity standards for cables and landing stations. It also creates a study on establishing submarine cable protection zones and increases penalties for damaging submarine cables, with violations potentially resulting in up to 25 years in prison.