On August 31, 2026, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau concluded its investigation into Zayo Group, LLC, Rogers Communications, Ledcor Industries, and Marine Cable Corporation over their operation of the AmeriCan-1 submarine cable. The probe focused on whether the four equal co-licensees violated the Cable Landing License Act of 1921 and FCC rules by running the system without authorization after its 25-year license automatically expired in December 2024.

As part of the settlement, the co-owners will make a combined $45,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury and implement a 36-month internal compliance program. Their joint application to renew the license remains pending FCC review.

AmeriCan-1 Cable System Profile

The AmeriCan-1 system entered service in late 1999 and spans approximately 140 kilometers across the Salish Sea and Puget Sound, linking Washington State to British Columbia. The subsea link connects Seattle and Vancouver data center clusters, providing low-latency, high-capacity cross-border connectivity between U.S. Pacific Northwest carrier facilities and Canadian enterprise networks.

The cable offers a critical alternative path to terrestrial routes along Interstate 5, providing geographic diversity for traffic between the two regions.

FCC Enforcement Settlement Overview

FCC regulations require submarine cable landing licenses to be renewed within a fixed 25-year statutory window. When the co-licensees failed to file a timely renewal application before the December 2024 deadline, AmeriCan-1 continued operating without valid license authority. The operators sought emergency Special Temporary Authority in May 2025 and submitted a joint renewal application.

Timeline & Mandatory Compliance Program

Chronology of Regulatory Breakdown

  1. AmeriCan-1 begins commercial service, initiating the 25-year regulatory period.
  2. License expires automatically following failure to file timely renewal; system operates without valid license.
  3. Co-licensees request emergency Special Temporary Authority and file joint renewal application.
  4. FCC Enforcement Bureau issues Consent Decree, concluding investigation upon payment and compliance commitments.

36-Month Internal Compliance Mandates

  • Compliance Officer: Designate a dedicated compliance officer within 30 days to manage FCC licensing obligations.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Develop a formal compliance manual, procedures, and administrative tracking systems within 90 days.
  • Employee Training: Implement mandatory training for personnel responsible for regulatory filings and asset lifecycle management.

Each co-licensee must submit formal compliance certifications throughout the 36-month monitoring period, documenting adherence to the Consent Decree requirements.

Macro Regulatory Takeaway: Heightened Oversight Over Legacy Cables

The AmeriCan-1 case reflects the FCC's growing enforcement focus on legacy cross-border subsea infrastructure. Following recent licensing reforms that expanded direct FCC oversight to Submarine Line Terminal Equipment and national security compliance, the Enforcement Bureau is now actively investigating administrative lapses that historically received minimal attention. For operators like Zayo and regional carriers such as Rogers, implementing robust lifecycle tracking systems for 25-year cable licenses has become a critical operational and compliance requirement.