The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking steps to codify aspects of its current foreign ownership requirements.
Under the terms of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission would implement a number of changes to its current review process regarding the issuance of broadcast and common carrier licenses to entities owned in whole or part by parties based outside of the U.S.
The FCC says it currently has certain practices that it uses as part of its review process, but has never codified those practices into rules. According to the agency, the proposed changes would more clearly define and simplify the agency’s existing requirements and processes. Further, a more structured approach to licensee application reviews would help to allay national security risks and concerns.
The FCC’s NPRM on foreign ownership policies is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-26A1.pdf.