US finds ‘unauthorised connections’ on America Movil undersea cable

US finds ‘unauthorised connections’ on America Movil undersea cable is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• The FCC resolves two investigations into the America Movil Submarine Cable System.
• LATAM Telecommunications and Puerto Rico Telephone Company to pay $1 million civil penalty each.
• Scrutiny of undersea cable connections, particularly those involving China, has increased in recent years.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday the resolution of two investigations into the America Movil Submarine Cable System. This cable system serves as a vital link connecting the United States with Colombia and Costa Rica. The investigations revealed unauthorised connections made without the necessary regulatory approvals.

Unapproved connections and civil penalties

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concludes two investigations concerning the America Movil Submarine Cable System linking the United States with Colombia and Costa Rica. The FCC revealed that the undersea cable connections were established without the necessary approval from the commission or the US government’s “Team Telecom,” resulting in a lack of required national security reviews.

In response, LATAM Telecommunications and Puerto Rico Telephone Company have agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1 million each. This settlement follows their admission of the violations and their commitment to comply with FCC regulations moving forward.

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Security concerns and regulatory oversight

The US government has been closely monitoring undersea cable connections, particularly those with potential ties to China. With approximately 300 undersea cables forming the backbone of the internet and carrying the majority of global data traffic, ensuring the security of these connections is paramount.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasised the importance of proper regulatory oversight in reviewing the installation of new cables to mitigate potential security risks. “Undersea cables keep us globally connected and are essential part of the digital economy. But they can pose real security risks if the FCC and its national security partners aren’t properly given the chance to review where new cables may be installed,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

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Delayed authorisation and increased penalties

Construction of cable landing stations in Colombia and Costa Rica began in 2020 and 2022, respectively, without seeking FCC authorisation until 2023. Although Puerto Rico Telephone and LATAM were granted authorisation for the America Movil undersea cable system in 2013, the FCC had not approved these latest connections. Despite this, America Movil itself was not implicated in any wrongdoing.

The FCC said the penalties were much larger than prior actions on undersea cables “reflecting the increased emphasis on data security issues in the national security sphere.”