In recent weeks the FCC has taken steps to address the National Security of our telecommunications networks and in a separate action has adjusted regulations to accelerate the transition from aging copper lines to more modern infrastructure. Please note the following:
* On March 13, 2025, FCC Chairman Carr announced the establishment of the Council for National Security (Council) within the FCC. The Council will promote America’s national security and counter foreign adversaries’ efforts to undermine the safety and reliability of the nation’s telecommunications networks. The announcement specifically mentions threats from the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Council will be comprised of representatives from eight Bureaus and Offices within the FCC. The Council will have a 3-part goal:
1) Reduce the American telecommunications’ sectors supply chain dependencies on foreign adversaries.
2) Mitigate vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, espionage, and surveillance by foreign adversaries.
3) Ensure that the U.S. wins the strategic competition with China over critical technologies and such as 5G and 6G, AI, satellites and space, quantum computing and others.
In a related announcement on March 21, 2025, Chairman Carr disclosed the launch of an investigation into the ongoing U.S. operations of CCP aligned businesses. The announcement references previous FCC actions to address this issue via its Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Orders and the creation of its Covered List (https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist). The FCC believes that despite those previous actions some or all of entities on the Covered List are continuing to do business in the Country. The newly formed Council, in coordination with other Federal Agencies, will identify the scope of their ongoing activities and will move quickly to close any loopholes that have allowed entities on the Covered List to continue to operate in the U.S..
* On March 20, 2025, Chairman Carr announced that the Wireline Competition Bureau had issued four Orders designed to accelerate the conversion of aging copper lines to more modern technology infrastructure. The actions are intended to help ensure that providers roll out upgraded, high speed networks on a faster timeline. The WCB Orders reflect the following:
* Clarification that providers may follow streamlined procedures more frequently when applying to retire copper facilities.
* Adoption of a Waiver, for a period of two years, Notice requirements imposed by the network change disclosure rules in cases where they provide no demonstrable benefit.
* Grants authority to grandfather legacy voice or data services and waives the requirement that carriers file a Section 214 application seeking authorization in that scenario.
* Grants a USTA Petition for a period of two years, which thereby allows providers to retire copper facilities not only when replacement services are available on a standalone basis but also when services are available on a bundled basis. The FCC’s pricing protections will remain in effect.
The FCC’s recent actions discussed above demonstrate the Commission’s focus on network security as well as its ongoing efforts to reduce/revise its rules and regulations that we’ve discussed in recent editions of the ICORE Blog. We will continue to monitor the issues discussed above and will provide updates on these and other important issues affecting the telecommunications industry.
