FCC Takes Steps to Facilitate International Telecommunications Services Between US and Cuba

The Federal Communications Commission took steps to promote international telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba by proposing to remove nondiscrimination requirements on the US-Cuba route.

Currently, the FCC’s nondiscrimination rules require all facilities-based US carriers providing the same or similar services on the US-Cuba route to operate under identical rate terms and conditions. In 2012, the Commission removed nondiscrimination requirements for US carriers operating between the United States and other countries. Cuba is the only country to which the nondiscrimination requirements still apply. If the proposal is adopted, US carriers would have more flexibility to negotiate rates with the state-owned telecommunications operator, ETECSA, and to respond to market forces. The action responds to a recommendation from the State Department to remove the nondiscrimination requirements based on the changes in US-Cuba relations, and seeks comment on whether such an action would serve the public interest. In particular, the action seeks comment on removing certain nondiscrimination requirements and asks whether removal would lead to more direct agreements between US carriers and the state-owned telecommunications operator, ETECSA, and encourage competition on the US-Cuba route.