Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ADOPTS STANDARD QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANTS 
WITH FOREIGN OWNERSHIP 

WASHINGTON, September 30, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a baseline set of national security and law enforcement questions for companies with foreign ownership seeking to participate in the U.S. telecommunications market.  These standard questions will generally apply to companies submitting applications to provide international telecommunications services, deploy submarine cables, operate certain wireless and broadcast facilities, and assign or transfer control of such licenses.  

Today’s action will provide applicants with greater regulatory certainty and a more streamlined and transparent process.  The Commission will make the standard questions available on the FCC’s website so that applicants will be able to prepare their responses to the Executive Branch’s Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Committee) much earlier in the application process than they do now.  

This action facilitates the provision of new services and infrastructure in the United States while continuing to ensure that the Commission receives the benefit of the views of the Committee as part of its public interest review of applications.  Applicants with foreign ownership will provide answers to the standard questions directly to the Committee prior to or at the same time they file their applications with the FCC.  The Committee currently asks applicants to answer national security and law enforcement questions after the FCC refers applications to the Committee.  

The standard questions are based upon the types of questions the Committee currently asks applicants.  The questions will seek applicant information on corporate structure and shareholders, relationships with foreign entities including governments, financial condition and circumstances, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and business and operational information such as services to be provided and network infrastructure.

Adoption of the standard questions marks the final step in implementing the FCC’s October 2020 Executive Branch Review Order, in which it adopted rules and procedures to facilitate a more streamlined and transparent process for coordinating the referral of applications with foreign ownership to the Committee for its views on any national security and law enforcement issues the application may raise.  

Action by the Commission September 30, 2021 by Second Report and Order (FCC 21-104).  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving.  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr and Starks issuing separate statements.

IB Docket No. 16-155

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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. Cir. 1974).