PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 45 L Street NE WASHINGTON D.C. 20554 News media information 202-418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov DA Number: 26-661 Report No. SCL-00625NS Thursday July 2, 2026 Non-Streamlined Submarine Cable Landing License Applications Accepted For Filing Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures apply to the applications listed below: The applications listed below have been found, upon initial review, to be acceptable for filing. Pursuant to the Submarine Cable Landing License Act, 47 U.S.C. §§ 34-39, and Executive Order No. 10530, reprinted as amended in 3 U.S.C. § 301, each applicant seeks: (a) the grant of a submarine cable landing license; (b) the modification of a submarine cable landing license; and/or (c) the assignment or transfer of control of an interest in a submarine cable landing license. These applications are not subject to the streamlined processing procedures set forth in Section 1.767 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR § 1.767. Pursuant to section 1.1910(b)(2) of the rules, action will be withheld on any application by any entity found to be delinquent in its debts to the Commission. Applicants should check the Red Light Display System's website at www.fcc.gov/redlight to determine if they are delinquent in a debt to the Commission and for information on how to pay the debt. 47 CFR § 1.1910(b)(2). Unless otherwise specified, filings relating to these applications must be received within 14 days of this notice. Ex parte communications between outside parties and Commission staff concerning these applications are permitted subject to the Commission's rules for "permit-but-disclose proceedings." See 47 CFR § 1.1206. All applications listed are subject to further consideration and review, and may be returned and/or dismissed if not found to be in accordance with the Commission's rules, regulations, and other requirements. These applications are being coordinated with the Department of State and other Executive Branch agencies pursuant to section 1.767(b) of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR §1.767(b), and consistent with procedures established with the Department of State. See Review of Commission Consideration of Applications under the Cable Landing License Act, IB Docket No. 00-106, Report and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 22167, 22192-93, paras. 51-52 (2001) (Submarine Cable Landing License Report and Order); Commission Announces Department of State's Revised Procedures for its Consideration of Submarine Cable Landing License Applications, IB Docket No. 16-155, Public Notice, DA 22-435 (rel. Apr. 19, 2022). Pursuant to its decision in Review of Commission Consideration of Applications under the Submarine Cable Landing License Act, IB Docket No. 00-106, FCC 01-332, 16 FCC Rcd 22167 (2001), and section 1.767 of the rules, the Commission will take action upon these applications within ninety (90) days after release of this public notice, unless it determines that additional time is needed. Page 1 of 8 People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). SCL-AMD-20260529-00073 S250458 Caribbean Crossings Ltd. Date filed: 2026-06-15 Amendment See discussion of ICFS File No. SCL-RWL-20260224-00024 in this Public Notice. Page 2 of 8 SCL-RWL-20260224-00024 S250458 Caribbean Crossings Ltd. Date filed: 2026-03-13 Renewal On March 13, 2026, Caribbean Crossings Ltd. (Caribbean Crossings) filed an application for a new 25- year cable landing license for the Bahamas Internet Cable System (BICS), a private, non-common carrier fiber-optic submarine cable system which connects cable landing stations in Florida with cable landing stations in The Bahamas. The BICS cable’s initial 25-year license will expire on July 31, 2026. On June 15, 2026, Caribbean Crossings filed an amendment to make corrections and clarifications. See SCL-AMD-20260529-00073 in this public notice. Caribbean Crossings states that in 2022, it assessed the lifespan of the BICS infrastructure and found that it “remains robust and efficient, allowing for an extension of its expected end-of-service year by an additional 25 years.” Caribbean Crossings states that BICS “serves as a critical communications backbone for The Bahamas, providing high-capacity internet, voice, and data services… [and that it] will continue to provide significant public benefits because the United States and The Bahamas historically have strong and close social and economic ties.” Caribbean Crossings estimates that BICS carries a daily average of about 85 Gbps of two-way data between The Bahamas and the United States. Caribbean Crossings states that “continuing operating authority for BICS clearly would serve the public interest in preserving and supporting essential economic and social interests between” the United States and The Bahamas. Licensing History. In 2000, the Commission granted a cable landing license to Caribbean Crossings for authority to land and operate a private, non-common carrier fiber-optic submarine cable system, the Bahamas Internet Cable System (BICS) extending between the United States and The Bahamas. See Caribbean Crossings Ltd., Application for a License to Land and Operate in the United States a Private Submarine Fiber Optic Cable between the United States and the Bahamas, SCL-AMD-20000405-00011, SCL-LIC- 20000118-00001; Cable Landing License, 15 FCC Rcd. 10818 (2000). The cable’s commercial operation began August 1, 2001. SCL-RWL-20260224-00024, Question R.2. In 2002, the Commission granted a modification of the license to build a second fiber-optic submarine cable segment for the provision of a self-healing ring between The Bahamas and Boca Raton, Florida on BICS. International Authorizations Granted, SCL-MOD-20020925-00094, Public Notice, 17 FCC Rcd. 24550 (IB 2002). Caribbean Crossings has had several owners over the years. Following a series of transfers of control of Caribbean Crossings between 2002 and 2004, the Commission granted an application for the transfer of control of Caribbean Crossings from Columbus Communications Ltd. (Columbus) to Cable Bahamas Ltd. Actions Taken Under Cable Landing License Act, SCL-T/C-20090506-00009, SCL-AMD- 20091202-00036, Public Notice, 24 FCC Rcd. 14716 (IB 2009). The Commission conditioned grant of this transfer of control application on Caribbean Crossings abiding by the commitments and undertakings contained in its October 2, 2009 letter to the Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, U.S. Department of Justice, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks NII (Acting), Department of Defense, and the General Counsel, Defense Information Systems Agency (October 2009 LOA). Id. BICS continues to be subject to the October 2009 LOA. Cable System Design and Capacity. BICS is a private submarine and terrestrial fiber-optic cable network owned and operated by Caribbean Page 3 of 8 Crossings Ltd. The system consists of two segments that connect The Bahamas to Boca Raton, Florida: Segment 1: connects Boca Raton, Florida to Freeport Hub, Grand Bahama. This segment has twenty-four fiber strands and a total capacity of up to 500 Gbps. Segment 6: connects Boca Raton, Florida to Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama. This segment has twelve fiber strands and supports a total capacity of up to 400 Gbps. Caribbean Crossings says that both segments use Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology, and that the network is designed to support up to 40 optical channels per segment. Caribbean Crossings says that it completed an upgrade of its DWDM system in September 2025. Currently Segment 1 (initial capacity 57.6 Gpbs) has 5 active channels and Segment 6 (initial capacity 28.8 Gpbs) has 4 active channels. Caribbean Crossings states that its network has additional capacity available and can “accommodate future expansion as bandwidth demand grows.” Cable Landings. The BICS cable has landing points at the following locations: Boca Raton, Florida; Hawksbill, Grand Bahama (landing in both Freeport Harbour and Freeport Hub). Ownership of the System. Caribbean Crossings states that it will own and control the Bahamian landing stations as well as the BICS cables. The ownership of the cable landing stations is as follows: 1. Boca Raton, FL: Globenet North America (100% equity and voting) 2. Boca Raton, FL: Equinix M13 (100% equity and voting) 3. Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama: Caribbean Crossings Ltd. (100% equity and voting) 4. Freeport Hub, Grand Bahama: Caribbean Crossings Ltd. (100% equity and voting) Caribbean Crossings says that it is a party to lease agreements with the owners of the two U.S. landing stations, Globenet North America and Equinix M13, both located in Boca Raton, FL. Caribbean Crossings states that it “retains operational authority over the cable system and provides direction to Globenet North America and Equinix M13 in all matters relating to BICS landing facilities.” Caribbean Crossings requests a waiver of Section 1.767(h)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.767(h)(1), so that Globenet North America and Equinix M13 need not be licensees for BICS (discussed below). Waiver Request of 47 CFR § 1.767(h)(1) Caribbean Crossings requests a waiver of Section 1.767(h)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.767(h)(1), so that Globenet North America and Equinix M13, each owners of the separate Boca Raton, FL landing stations, need not be licensees for BICS. Section 1.767(h)(1) requires that “[a]ny entity that owns or controls a cable landing station in the United States” shall be “applicants for, and licensees on, a cable landing license.” 47 CFR § 1.767(h)(1). Caribbean Crossings states that including Globenet North America and Equinix M13 as licensees is not necessary to ensure compliance with the Cable Landing Act, the Commission’s rules, or the terms of any cable landing license. Caribbean Crossings states that it “retains operational authority over the cable system and provides direction to Globenet North America or Equinix M13 in all matters relating to BICS landing facilities.” Caribbean Crossings contends that both Globenet North America and Equinix M13 provide only limited services to Caribbean Crossings Page 4 of 8 according to long-term lease agreements. Caribbean Crossings says that these agreements do not confer any ability to affect the operation of BICS upon Globenet North America or Equinix M13. Caribbean Crossings also states that it will “ensure that the lease agreements have initial terms, with extension options at its sole discretion, for the remaining useful life of the BICS system.” Regulatory Classification. BICS is currently operated on a non-common carrier basis. Caribbean Crossings proposes to continue to operate the cable on a non-common carrier basis. Caribbean Crossings states that it will continue to operate on a private carrier basis and offer “bulk capacity to a specific class of eligible users, including common carriers, on an original ownership, indefeasible right of use (‘IRU’), or lease of capacity basis. . .[with] individualized decisions in particular cases, whether and on what terms to deal,” and will not hold itself out to serve the public indifferently. Ownership of the Applicant. Caribbean Crossings, a company organized in The Bahamas, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cable Bahamas Ltd., a Bahamas telecommunications provider. The National Insurance Board, a Bahamas government organization, directly owns 22.4% voting and equity interest in Cable Bahamas Ltd. The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas indirectly owns 29.2% voting and equity interest Caribbean Crossings through (i) directly owning 22.4% voting and equity interest in the National Insurance Board and (ii) its wholly owned subsidiary, the Treasurer of the Government of The Bahamas, which directly owns 6.8% voting and equity interest in Cable Bahamas Ltd. Caribbean Crossings states that no other persons or entities hold a 10% or greater interest in it. Conditions and Requirements. Caribbean Crossings certifies that it accepts and will abide by the routine conditions specified in Sections 1.767(g) and 1.70007 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.767(g), 1.70007. Executive Branch Review. In the Executive Branch Review Process Order, the Commission stated that it would generally refer submarine cable applications reportable foreign ownership to the Executive Branch for review for national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy issues. See Process Reform for Executive Branch Review of Certain FCC Applications and Petitions Involving Foreign Ownership, IB Docket 16-155, Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 10927, 10935-36, para. 24 (2020) (Executive Branch Review Process Order); see 47 CFR § 1.40001(a)(1). The Commission, however, stated that it would exclude certain applications from referral. See Executive Branch Review Process Order, 35 FCC at 10938-41, paras. 29-25); see 47 CFR § 1.40001(a)(2). Caribbean Crossings believes that the Commission should exclude this application from referral even though it does not come within the categories of applications that will generally be excluded from referral. First, Caribbean Crossings states that the cable landing license for BICS is conditioned on compliance with the October 9, 2009 Letter of Agreement. In addition, Caribbean Crossings says that “the ownership and operational details of BICS have not changed materially” since the Executive Branch agencies reviewed the cable in 2009. Caribbean Crossings requests that the Commission condition grant of the application on continued compliance with the October 2009 LOA. Page 5 of 8 Pursuant to Commission practice, we are referring the application to the relevant Executive Branch agencies for their views on any national security, law enforcement, foreign policy or trade policy concerns related to the foreign ownership of the Applicants. See Process Reform for Executive Branch Review of Certain FCC Applications and Petitions Involving Foreign Ownership, IB Docket 16-155, Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 10927 (2020). Although BICS is subject to the October 2009 LOA and Caribbean Crossings states that it will continue to comply with this agreement, the application does not come within the categories of applications that we generally exclude from referral. As referenced in the application, BICS is subject to a mitigation agreement that is 17 years old. An agreement of this age may be outdated as new or unique national security, law enforcement, foreign policy or trade policy concerns may be present now. Page 6 of 8 INFORMATIVE: SCL-LIC-20240725-00034 S250409 Verizon Business Global LLC dba Verizon Date filed: 2024-07-25 Business Submarine Cable Landing License On July 1, 2026, the Chair of the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Committee) notified the Commission that the Committee granted the Applicant an extension to the 120-day initial review period and thus is extending its initial review period for the application for the California-Hawaii S1 (CHI) cable system to conclude on or before July 16, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order 13913 (85 Fed Reg 19643 (April 8, 2020)). SCL-LIC-20250910-00044 S250488 Starfish Infrastructure Inc. Date filed: 2025-09-11 Submarine Cable Landing License On June 30, 2026, the Chair of the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Committee) notified the Commission that the Committee is conducting an initial review of the application filed by Starfish Infrastructure Inc. to construct, land, and operate the Sol cable system to assess whether grant of the application will pose a risk to the national security or law enforcement interests of the United States, pursuant to Executive Order 13913 (85 Fed Reg 19643 (Apr. 8, 2020)). The Committee shall complete its review of the application before the end of the 120-day initial review period, unless the Committee notifies the Commission of an extension of the 120-day initial review period or the need arises to conduct a 90-day secondary assessment. The 120-day initial review ends on October 28, 2026. SCL-LIC-20251121-00076 S250509 Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link, LLC Date filed: 2025-11-25 Submarine Cable Landing License On June 18, 2026, the Department of Justice on behalf of the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector requested that the Commission defer action on the submarine cable landing license application filed by Hawaiian Island Fiber Link, LLC in addition to the following amendments, SCL-AMD-20260402-00052 and SCL- AMD-20260409-00056, for the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) cable system to give the Committee Members time to respond. The Department of Justice states that an extension to allow the Committee Members the opportunity to prepare and provide a response to the Public Notices is in the public interest. We grant the request and defer action on the above-referenced application and amendments until July 2, 2026. REMINDER: Applicants must certify that neither the applicant nor any party to the application is subject to a denial of federal benefits by federal and/or state courts under authority granted in 21 U.S.C. § 862. See 47 CFR §§ 1.2001-.2003. Page 7 of 8 By this notice, we inform the public that submarine cable landing license applications that are part of larger transactions involving multiple Commission licenses or authorizations may involve "extraordinary circumstances" as referenced in Review of Commission Consideration of Applications under the Submarine Cable Landing License Act, Report and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 22167 (2001) and Rules and Policies on Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Market, Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 12 FCC Rcd 23891 (1997), paras. 327-28, Order on Reconsideration, 15 FCC Rcd 18158 (2000). Additionally, extraordinary circumstances result where Executive Branch agencies petition the Commission to defer action on an application pending the resolution of potential national security, law enforcement, foreign policy and trade policy issues. Accordingly, these applications may not be acted on within the 90-day review period that the Commission has established as the period of time normally required to reach a decision on non-streamlined submarine cable landing licenses. This notice shall serve as public notice to applicants that, in these circumstances, additional time may be required for Commission review and final action. No additional formal public notice will be provided routinely with respect to specific applications in the event that the applicable review period extends beyond 90 days Page 8 of 8