US agency votes to launch review, update undersea telecommunications cable rules

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to propose new rules and launch a comprehensive review of its rules governing undersea communications cables that handle nearly all the world's internet traffic in the face of growing security concerns.

The FCC voted 5-0 on proposed updates to address the national security concerns over the global network of subsea cables that handle more than 98% of international internet traffic.

Baltic nations said this week they are investigating whether the cutting of two fiber-optic undersea telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea was sabotage.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)