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Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
11/17/2025, 5:37 PM
Summary of Bill S 259
The bill specifies that the FCC must include information on the level of foreign ownership in each listed entity, as well as any changes in ownership that occur after the initial publication of the list. This information will be made available to the public on the FCC's website.
In addition to the publication of the list, the bill also requires the FCC to submit an annual report to Congress detailing any enforcement actions taken against entities with foreign ownership. This report will provide insight into the FCC's efforts to ensure compliance with regulations regarding foreign ownership in the telecommunications industry. Overall, Bill 119 s 259 seeks to promote transparency and accountability in the telecommunications industry by requiring the FCC to disclose information on entities with foreign ownership and their compliance with regulations.
Congressional Summary of S 259
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries.
With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity.
With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest.
Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
