A bill proposed to strengthen U.S. supply chains and domestic production capacity would formally have the Assistant Secretary for Trade and Economic Security at the Department of Homeland Security serve as the “point person” on CFIUS and Team Telecom. Details inside.
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Team TelecomFDI expert: CFIUS, Team Telecom may get more assertive over time
This week, we sit down with John Beahn, who recently joined the law firm of Milbank as its first full-time CFIUS partner. According to Beahn, CFIUS and Team Telecom “only have begun to scratch the surface of the authorities provided to them” by FIRRMA. Details and insights inside.
FCC to fine U.S. telecom firm for exceeding foreign ownership limits
The Federal Communications Commission has accused a U.S. wireless carrier of “repeatedly” transferring control of its FCC licenses to foreign individuals. The firm’s parent company in London will be fined $600,639. Details, the case, and what this may signal about Team Telecom are inside.
Acting chief of DoJ’s Foreign Investment Review Section moves on
David Plotinsky, who most recently served as acting chief of the Foreign Investment Review Section in the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, has joined the Washington, D.C. office of Morgan Lewis.
The CFIUS arms race continues; firm hires former Treasury counsel
Bridget Reineking, who most recently served in the Treasury Department where she directed the Office of the General Counsel’s national security work, has joined the law firm of Cooley as special counsel in the firm’s CFIUS practice. Details and other similar moves are inside.
Former chair of Team Telecom expects more assertive Committee
This week we sit down with Richard Sofield, the former chair of Team Telecom, to discuss the new Committee, cross-over with CFIUS, and more. Of note: Richard predicts a more active regime. “I think we are seeing Team Telecom become increasingly assertive in multiple ways.”
Team Telecom reviewing national security implications of Zoom deal
The Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Service Sector (known as Team Telecom) is reviewing Zoom’s intended acquisition of call-center software firm Five9 on grounds of national security. Details and docs are inside.
FCC seeks input on standardized set of national security questions
The FCC is seeking comments on a set of questions for applications that will get foreign-ownership reviews by Team Telecom. Details on the “standardized national security and law enforcement questions,” the public notice, instructions, contacts, and more are inside.
Compliance Reminder: New Team Telecom rules effective Dec. 28
As we covered back in October, the FCC has adopted a new Team Telecom review process that should improve the transparency and timeliness of foreign ownership reviews. The new review process becomes effective this week. Details, downloads, fact sheets and contacts are inside.
FCC streamlines its process for reviewing foreign ownership
This week, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules that should improve the transparency and timeliness of foreign ownership reviews. Details on the new “Team Telecom” review process, and how it relates to CFIUS, are inside.
If CFIUS wasn’t enough: New committee to review telecom deals
Last week, President Trump formalized the “Team Telecom” review process, creating a Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (can you say, “CAFPUSTSS”?). Details and the Executive Order are inside.