Clearance Letter - C

LETTER submitted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Clearance Letter - Cable & Wireless

2017-03-08

This document pretains to SCL-T/C-20151130-00035 for Transfer of Control on a Submarine Cable Landing filing.

IBFS_SCLTC2015113000035_1200043

                                                                         U.S. Department of Homeland
                                                                         Security
                                                                         Washington, DC 20528




                                           March 8, 2017

By E-File

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
445 l2th St. SW, Room TW-B204
Washington, DC 20554

       Re:     Cable & Wireless/Liberty Global
               SCL-T/C-20151130-00035 SCL-T/C-20151130-00036

Dear Ms. Dortch,

         The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the concurrence of the U.S. Department
of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Departement of Defense (DOD) (collectively, “the Agencies”), withdraws
its request to defer action on the above referenced application. The Agencies hereby notify the
commission that they have no objection to the applications contingent upon the Applicant’s continued
compliance with the terms of the 2015 Letter of Assurance (LOA). For reference the 2015 LOA, along
with an acknowledgement by Liberty Global of the conditions therein, are attached hereto.


                                              Regards,


                                              /s/ Janine Alston Slade
                                              Deputy Director, Foreign Investment Risk Management
                                              Office of Policy
                                              U.S. Department of Homeland Security



cc:    Tracey Wilson, via email at tracey.wilson@fcc.gov
       Dennis Johnson, via email at dennis.johnson@fcc.gov
       Jim Bird, via email at jim.bird@fcc.gov
       David Krech, via email at david.krech@fcc.gov
       Sumita Mukhoty, via email at sumita.mukhoty@fcc.gov




                                           UNCLASSIFIED


                                                                                                      A /
                                                                                                     '/X<'   \ Q}

                                                                                                    \ /)
                                                                                            LIBERTY GLOBAL.



                                              November 3, 2016




Mr. Alan Bersin
Assistant Secretary for International Affairs
   and Chief Diplomatic Officer
Office of Policy
Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Lane, S.W.
Washington, DC 20528


Dear Mr. Bersin:

On September 11, 2015, Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc. (Columbus) provided a Letter of
Assurances (LOA) to the Department of Homeland Security in connection with applications
requesting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization to transfer control of, inter
alia, the cable landing licenses for the ARCOS—1 Cable System, SCL—LIC—19981222—00032
(ARCOS—1 Cable), and the CFX—1 Cable System, SCL—LIC—20070516—00008 (CFX—1 Cable) to
Cable and Wireless Communications Ple (C&W).‘_ C&W acknowledged and agreed to the
commitments contained in the LOA.
Columbus New Cayman Limited (CNCL), the parent of Columbus, and Liberty Global have
applied to the FCC for consent to transfer control of these cable landing licenses from CNCL to
Liberty Global (CNCL Transaction)." After the CNCL Transaction is completed, Liberty
Global also will control Columbus, and Columbus and C&W will continue to exist and operate
the cables, and continue to undertake all obligations contained in the LOA, including all relevant
reporting requirements.

Liberty Global understands and acknowledges the commitments set forth in the LOA, and further
acknowledges that Columbus and C&W are parties to, and will continue to comply with the
terms, conditions, and requirements of such LOA.




_ Liberty Global acquired all of the issued shares of C&W pursuant to a transaction that closed on May 16, 2016.
As a result of that transaction, C&W was converted to Cable & Wireless Communications Ltd.
 See Joint Application for Transfer of Control of Cable Landing Licenses, File Nos. SCL—T/C—20151130—00035;
SCL—T/C—20151130—00036.

                                           Liberty Global pic                        T +44 20 8483 6300
                                           Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road       Registration No. 8379990, England
                                           London W6 8BS, United Kingdom             www .libertyglobal.com


Acknowledged and A?reed to by Liberty Global ple


Bryan H. Hall
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Liberty Global plc
Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road
London W6 8BS, United Kingdom
+44(0) 208 483—6449
bhall @libertyglobal.com


                                  Before the
                     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                                   Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of                               )
                                               )
Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc.                 )   File Nos.   SCL—T/C—20141121—00013
ARCOS—1 USA, Inc.                              )               SCL—T/C—20141121—00014
Columbus Networks Limited                      )               ITC—T/C—20141121—00307
                                               )               ITC—T/C—20141121—00304
Cable and Wireless Communications Plc        )
                                             )
Applications for Consent to Transfer Control )
of Submarine Cable Landing Licenses          )
Pursuant to Section 214 of the               )
Communications Act of 1934, as Amended       )

                         PETITION TO ADOPT CONDITIONS TO
                          AUTHORIZATIONS AND LICENSES


       The Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") submits this Petition to Adopt

Conditions to Authorizations and Licenses ("Petition"), pursuant to Section 1.41 of the Federal

Communications Commission ("Commission") rules.‘ Through this Petition, DHS advises the

Commission that it has no objection to the Commissionapproving the authority sought in the

above—referenced proceedings, provided that the Commission conditions its approval on the

commitment of Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc. ("Columbus") and Cable and Wireless

Communications Plc ("C&W*") to abide by the undertakings set forth in the September 11, 2015

Letter of Assurance ("2015 LOA"), which is attached hereto as Attachment A. The 2015 LOA is

intended to supersede and replace the February 1, 2008 Letter of Assurances provided by

Columbus to DHS, which was adopted by the Commission as a condition to the cable landing

license for the CFX—1 Cable System (SCL—LIC—20070516—00008). The 2015 LOA is applicable

to both the CFX—1 and the ARCOS—1 (SCL—LIC—19981222—00032) Cable Systems.



147 C.F.R.§ 141.


          The Commission has long recognized that law enforcement, national security, and public

safety concerns are part of its public interest analysis, and has accorded deference to the views of

other U.S. government agencies with expertise in those areas. See In the Matter ofComsat

Corporation d/b/a Comsat Mobile Communications, etc., 16 FCC Red. 21,661, 21707 "[ 94

(2001).

          After discussions with representatives of Columbus and C&W in connection with the

above—referenced proceedings, DHS has concluded that the commitments set forth in the 2015

LOA will help ensure that DHS can proceed appropriately to satisfy its responsibility for

enforcing the law, protecting the national security, and preserving public safety. Accordingly,

DHS advises the Commission thatit has no objection to the Commission granting the

applications in the above—referenced proceedings, provided that the Commission conditions its

consent on compliance by Columbus and C&W with the 2015 LOA.



Respectfully submitted,

/S/ Shawn Cooley
Shawn Cooley
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Director —— Foreign Investment Risk Managament
Office of Policy
3801 Nebraska Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20016

September 18, 2015


Attachment A (2015 Letter of Assurance)


Attachment A


              columbus                                                    Cable&Wireless
                        networks                                          Communications




                                                                     September 11, 2015

  Alan Bersin
  Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Chief Diplomatic Officer
  Office of Policy
  U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  245 Murray Lane SW
  Washington, D.C. 20528

  Dear Mr. Bersin:

  This Letter of Assurances ("LOA") outlines the commitments made to the U.S. Department of
  Homeland Security ("DHS") in order to address nationalsecurity, law enforcement, and public
  safety concerns raised with regard to the applications of Cable and Wireless Communications Plc
  ("C&W") requesting Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") authorization to transfer
  control of, inter alia, the cable landing license for the ARCOS—1 Cable System, SCL—LIC—
  19981222—00032, and the cable landing license for the CFX—1 Cable System, SCL—LIC—
  20070516—00008, from Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc. ("Columbus"), ARCOS—1 USA, Inc.
  and A.SurNet, Inc., to C&W (SCL—T/C—20141121—00013, SCL—T/C—20141121—00014)
  {collectively, the "Columbus Licensees").

  The shareholders of Columbus International Inc. ("CII"), ultimate parent of Columbus, ARCOS—
  1 USA, Inc. and A.SurNet, Inc., have entered into an agreement with C&W whereby C&W will
  directly acquire 100% of CIH, including indirectly 100% of Columbus, license holder for the
  CFX—1 Cable System, as well as ARCOS—1 USA, Inc. and A.SurNet, Inc., license holders for the
  ARCOS—1 Cable System. Employees of Columbus are responsible for management and
  operation of both the CFX—1 Cable System and the ARCOS—1 Cable System.

  C&W and Columbus are aware that Columbus and DHS entered into an Agreement dated as of
  February 1, 2008 (©2008 Agreement") to address issues relating to national security, law
  enforcement and public safety associated with the CFX—1 Cable System. This LOA is intended
  to supersede and replace the 2008 Agreement.

_ For purposes of this LOA, each Cable System includes, but is not limited to, associated cable
 landing sites, points of presence (PoPs) or interconnected gateways in the U.S. (whether leased
  or owned). The CFX—1 Cable System is a non—common carrier fiber optic cable extending
  between the U.S., Colombia and Jamaica. The ARCOS—1 Cable System is a non—common carrier
  fiber optic cable extending between the U.S., the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican
  Republic, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua,
  Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.

  Upon grant ofthe above—referenced transfer of control applications, Columbus undertakes to
  comply with the following commitments:


1. Principal Equipment List

Within 60 days of this LOA, and thereafter upon request, Columbus shall provide an updated
Principal Equipment list for each of the CFX—1 and ARCOS—1 Cable Systems. For purposes of
this LOA, "Principal Equipment" means the primary components ofthe Domestic
Communications Infrastructure and each Cable System, including, but not limited to, should they
exist, servers, routers, switches, signal modulators and amplifiers, repeaters, submarine line
terminal equipment (SLTE), system supervisory equipment (SSE), power feed equipment (PFE),
tilt and shape equalizer units (TEQ/SEQ), optical distribution frames (ODF), and synchronous
optical network (SONET), synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), wave division multiplexing
(WDM), dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM), coarse wave division multiplexing
(CWDM) or optical carrier network (OCN) equipment, as applicable, and any non—embedded
software necessary for the proper monitoring, administration and provisioning of the relevant
Cable System. This list should include available information identifying each item‘s
manufacturer and the model and/or version number of any hardware or software. In addition, the
list should identify any vendors, contractors, or subcontractors for the Principal Equipment,
including those who have physical and remote access to the Principal Equipment and those
performing functions that would otherwise be performed by Columbus personnel to install,
operate, manage, or maintain the Principal Equipment.

For purposes ofthis LOA, "Domestic Communications Infrastructure" (DCI) means: (a)
transmission, switching, bridging, and routing equipment (including software and upgrades), if
any, used by or on behalf of the Columbus Licensees to provide, process, direct, control,
supervise, or manage information catried on the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System; (b) facilities
and equipment used by or on behalf ofthe Columbus Licensees that are physically located in the
United States; or ( c) facilities used by or on behalf of the Columbus Licensees to control,
provision, and activate the equipment described in (a) and (b) above. DCI does not include
equipment or facilities used by service providers other than the Columbus Licensees that are: (a)
interconnecting communications providers or providers of transit services; or (b) providers of
services or content that are: (i) accessible using the communications services ofthe Columbus
Licensees and (ii) available in substantially similar form and on commercially reasonable terms
through communications services of companies other than the Columbus Licensees. The phrase
"on behalf of" as used in this definition does not include entities with which the Columbus
Licensees have contracted for peering, interconnection, transit, roaming, long distance, or other
similar arrangements.

Where a new vendor or contractor for Principal Equipment does not appear on any list of
Principal Equipment previously disclosed by Columbus pursuant to this LOA, Columbus shall
provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice to DHS prior to the installation of
Principal Equipment made by the new vendor or the initiation of work by the new contractor.
Columbus need not comply with the thirty (30) day advance notice requirement for any action
that is undertaken pursuant to a bona fide emergency and is necessary to ensure the continued
operability of either Cable System; however, in such circumstances, Columbus shall provide
advance notice of a new vendor or contractor for Principal Equipment ifpracticable, and if


impracticable, within five (5) business days after the installation of Principal Equipment made by
a new vendor or the initiation of work by a new contractor, as applicable.

2. Measures to Prevent Unauthorized Cable System Access

Columbus agrees to take practicable measures to prevent unauthorized access to, and protect the
physical and logical security of, the CFX—1 and ARCOS—1 Cable Systems and any information
being carried on such Cable Systems. Furthermore, Columbus agrees to report to DHS ifit learns
of information that reasonably indicates unauthorized third—party access, disruption, or
corruption to the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System or any information being carried on the
CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System. Any such reports should be provided in writing to DHS
within 10 business days of discovery of the relevant information, Columbus further agrees: (a)
to cooperate with DHS‘s recommendations with respect to the remediation of such events, and to
the extent such recommendations are not adopted by Columbus, to provide an explanation as to
why such measures are not adopted; and (b) to report Columbus‘ response to any
recommendation from DHS concerning remediation within 10 business days ofreceipt of such
recommendation.

3. Information Available Upon Request

Upon request, Columbus agrees to make available updated information within 15 days relating to
the development, operation and managemenit of the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System,
including, but not limited to, the following:

       a)   Network Management Information, including network topology descriptions or
maps; network and telecommunications architecture descriptions and associated descriptions of
interconnection points and controlled gateways to the DCI; network operational plans, processes
and procedures; locations and functions of any network operations centers, data centers, and
main distribution facilities; and descriptions of linkages to the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable
System for service offload, disaster recovery, or administrative functions;
       b) Physical and logical security policies, procedures and hardware or software products
or appliances maintained to protect the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System;
       c) Architecture Interconnect Diagrams (AID), Architecture Flow (control) Diagrams
(ACD), and System Context Diagrams (SCD) that show major system/subsystem components,
data flow/control, and actors outside the system that could interact with the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1
Cable System; and
        d) Any policies or procedures adopted to implement this LOA.

4. Point of Contact

Columbus hereby designates Paul Scott, President, Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc., 15950
West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33162, pscott@columbus.co, (786) 274—8904, a
resident U.S. citizen, as Point of Contact (POC) for purposes of this LOA. John Lyons, Vice
President — Engineering and Operations, Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc., 15950 West Dixie
Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33162, jlyons@columbus.co, (786) 274—7656, also a resident
U.S. citizen, will serve as an alternate point of contact in the event the primary POC cannot be


reached. Columbus may also designate such additional alternate points of contact, also resident
U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. All such designated points of contact shall be subject
to DHS review and non—objection.

The POC, or an alternate, shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to address any
national security, law enforcement or public safety concerns that may be raised by DHS with
respect to the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System. The POC, or an alternate, shall be responsible
for receiving and promptly effectuating DHS requests for information pursuant to this LOA.

Columbus will notify DHS of any change to the POC or alternates within 10 business days of
such change and such POC or alternate shall be subject to DHS review and non—objection.
Columbus shall cooperate with any DHS request that a background check be completed for a
designated POC or alternate.

5. Change in Services

Columbus agrees that it will notify DHS in writing at least 30 calendar days prior to
implementing any significant new communications services in the U.8., including but not limited
to the provision of services directly to end—user (i.e., non—carrier) customers, either residential,
business, or enterprise.

6. Annual Report

On or before each anniversary of the effective date of this LOA, Columbus shall submit to the
USG Parties a report including the following information:

       a) An updated Principal Equipment List, as defined herein, including identification of any
material changes or upgrades since the list was most recently provided to DHS;
       b) The name and current contact information of any POC, as defined herein;
       c) Updated physical and logical security policies and procedures used for protecting
system and subsystem components of the CFX—1 and ARCOS—1 Cable Systems, or material
updates to policies and procedures since most recently disclosed to DHS; and
        €) Architecture Interconnect Diagrams (AID), Architecture Flow (control) Diagrams
(ACD), and System Context Diagrams (SCD) that show major system/subsystem components,
data flow/control, and outside system components (people or machine) that could interact with
the CFX—1 or ARCOS—1 Cable System, or material updates to such documents since most
recently disclosed to DHS.

7. USG Visitation

Columbus agrees that DHS and such other U.S. Government agency representatives as DHS may
designate may access the landing stations, network operations centers, PoPs, or other facilities
under the control of the Columbus Licensees, and may inspect books and records, equipment,
servers, and facilities, to conduct on—site visits concerning the implementation of the terms ofthis
LOA. During such visits, Columbus will cooperate with the requests of USG Parties to make
information, facilities and personnel available. Columbus shall permit DHS and such other U.S.


Government agency representative as DHS may designate, to conduct confidential interviews of
employees or contractors of the Columbus Licensees concerning compliance with this LOA.
Ordinarily, DHS will provide Columbus with at least fourteen (14) days advance notice, but in
extraordinary circumstances Columbus shall afford DHS such access during normal business
hours with or without advance notice.

8. Notices

Notices under this LOA to DHS will be directed to IP—FCC@hq.dhs.gov.

9. Good Faith Negotiation; Remedies

Columbus agrees to negotiate in good faith to resolve any national security, law enforcement or
public safety concerns DHS may raise with respectto the Principal Equipment List, new vendors
or contractors for Principal Equipment, or any other matters set forth in this LOA.

Columbus agrees that in the event the commitments set forth in this letter are breached, in
addition to any other remedy available at law or equity, DHS may request that the FCC modify,
condition, revoke, cancel, terminate, or render null and void any relevant license, permit, or other
authorization granted by the FCC to the Columbus Licensees or any successors—in—interest.
Nothing herein shall be construed to be waiver by Columbus of, or limitation on, its right to
oppose or comment on any such request.



Nothing in this letter is intended to excuse the Columbus Licensees from their obligations to
comply with any and all applicable legal requirements and obligations, including any and all
applicable statutes, regulations, requirements, or orders.

This LOA shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, Columbus and its respective
successors, assigns, subsidiaries, and affiliates.

C&W and Columbus understand that, promptly upon execution of this letter by an authorized
representative or attorney for C&W and Columbus, DHS shall notify the FCC that it has no
objection to the FCC‘s grant of C&W‘s transfer of control applications described above.


For and on be                   Networks U.S.A., Inc.




B    da%addick
chief executive officer
15950 West Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(786) 274—7400
brendan@columbus.co




Acknowledged and Agreed by Cable and Wireless Plc




R. Perley McBride
Group Chief Financial Officer
2nd floor
62 ~ 65 Chandos Place,
London WC2N 4HG
United Kingdom
(305) 974—1636
perley.mebride@ewe.com


For and on behalf of Columbus Networks U.S.A., Inc.




Brendan Paddick
chief executive officer
15950 West Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(786) 274—7400
brendan@columbus.co




Acknowledged and Agreed by Cable and Wireless Pic

 (\ . M A¥ M                                |
            J
R. Perley McBride
Group ChiefFinancial Officer
2nd floor
62 — 65 Chandos Place,
London WC2N 4HG
United Kingdom
(305) 974—1636
perley.mcbride@cewe.com



Document Created: 2017-03-08 12:20:27
Document Modified: 2017-03-08 12:20:27

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