From Bark To Bite: Team Telecom's Tougher Oversight On Foreign Access

Overview

On January 8, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a landmark settlement with the Marlink, a satellite and ground station operator, marking the first-ever enforcement of a Team Telecom national security mitigation agreement. Initiated after a referral from the Department of Justice's National Security Division (DOJ), the investigation revealed that Marlink violated the terms of its 2022 mitigation agreement. Specifically, Marlink allowed certain non-US employees to access sensitive US communication infrastructure and customer information without seeking the required approval from DOJ. The FCC's investigation attributed these violations to an "inadequate screening procedure," noting that at least 186 non-US employees were not appropriately vetted as required. In a consent decree, Marlink agreed to pay $175,000 and implement a compliance plan to prevent future unauthorized access.