Greater Coordination and a More Effective Policy Needed for International Telecommunications Facilities

Although the organization of entities providing international telecommunications services varies from nation to nation, the United States and foreign entities jointly provide international telecommunications services and jointly own the cable and satellite facilities over which the services are provided. Development and implementation of a U.S. policy governing the construction and use of international telecommunications facilities involves primarily the responsibilities of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but can also involve the responsibilities of the State Department, the Office of Telecommunications Policy, and the Office of Telecommunications in the Department of Commerce.