Following data center boom, Oregon for first time considers charging use fees for undersea cables

Oregon is contemplating a new approach to undersea cables as it's experiencing a boom in data centers, proposing to levy fees on multinational tech firms for using the state's seafloor for fiber-optic cables. This marks the first time such a fee is considered, reflecting the growing importance of these cables in global internet infrastructure. The potential charges could generate significant revenue for the state while also sparking debate on balancing economic benefits with technological advancement. This move underscores the increasing scrutiny of infrastructure costs in the tech industry.