Facebook and Google delay US-to-China fiber-optic cable ambitions.

Through a contractor and a subsidiary, respectively, the companies requested permission to activate a portion of its 8,000-mile Pacific Light Cable Network, according to a filing with the FCC from late January.

The request focused on activation of the PLCN sections running between the U.S. and the Philippines and Taiwan.

• GU Holdings Inc. and Edge Cable Holding's request leaves out the PLCN sections running between the U.S. and Hong Kong.
• The omission of particular PLCN sections is likely due to challenging trade relations between China and the U.S., TechCrunch points out.
• PLCN has faced obstacles from day one, including delays caused by concerns of Chinese-government ties with Pacific Light Data Communication, which owns a portion of the PLCN's fiber-optic cable, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• Delay or denial of the request would impose "significant economic costs" on Google and Facebook, according to the filing, given the PLCN cost at least $300 million to build.