Somerset Times

Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the Undersea Cable Control Act, a legislative effort to maintain the United States' dominance in undersea cable infrastructure. The focus of this bill is to prevent adversarial nations, such as China, from gaining access to technology and resources critical to undersea cable operations.

"Undersea cables are critical infrastructure for the fast and secure transmission of global data and communications," Congressman Kean stated. "We cannot stand by as China seeks to expand its influence over one of the world's most powerful communications networks. It is essential that we take steps to protect undersea cables from foreign interference, sabotage, or control."

Globally, undersea cables serve as essential components for digital communication infrastructures, with 99 percent of transoceanic communications transmitted through these fiber optics. In 2019, this technology contributed $649 billion to the U.S. economy and facilitated over $10 trillion in daily transactions in the American financial sector.

Recent years have seen China invest in its state-run companies under its Belt and Road Initiatives, leading to significant Chinese participation in global undersea cable projects through firms like Huawei and China Telecom. Despite the United States maintaining a technological edge in fiber optics, these developments have sparked international concern regarding economic and security implications.

Previously, the Undersea Cable Control Act, led initially by Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21), had passed in the House of Representatives during the 118th Congress.