Media Contact: 
Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162
rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC ADOPTS RULES TO PROMOTE RELIABLE SUBMARINE CABLE 
COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
Submarine Cable Licensees Will Be Required to Report Major Outages to FCC 
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules 
that require submarine cable licensees to report significant outages to the FCC to help safeguard 
this critical communications infrastructure and promote reliable communications for businesses 
and consumers. 
There are approximately 60 submarine (that is, undersea) cables that provide connectivity –
voice, data and Internet service – between the mainland U.S. and Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, 
American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well 
as the connectivity between the U.S. and the rest of the world. Submarine cables are vital to 
America’s economic and national security, yet in the past licensees have only reported outages to 
the FCC on a voluntary and inconsistent basis. When the FCC has received information on 
outages, it has been too limited to be of use.
The new outage reporting rules will enable the FCC to monitor the operational status of 
submarine cables and assist the agency in ensuring the reliability of this communications 
infrastructure. 
The rules require submarine cable licensees to report major outages to the agency’s Network 
Outage Reporting System (NORS). Other communications providers – including wireline, 
wireless, and satellite – already report outages to NORS. This has allowed the FCC to analyze 
outage trends, spot systemic issues, and work with providers to develop solutions to make 
communications more resilient and reliable.
In the Report and Order adopted today, the FCC also noted that its International Bureau, in 
coordination with its Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, is developing and improving
interagency coordination processes to facilitate rapid deployment and maintenance of undersea 
cables. 
Action by the Commission June 24, 2016 by Report and Order (FCC 16-81). Chairman Wheeler, 
Commissioners Clyburn, and Rosenworcel approving and issuing separate statements. 
Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting and issuing separate statements.
GN Docket No. 15-206
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).