Blue Origin · Amazon · U.S. · FCC · The Register
US clarifies mobile hotspots part of foreign router ban despite rarity of American made consumer kit
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America's telco regulator has clarified its ban on foreign-made routers also includes mobile hotspots and domestic routers that use a 5G cellular connection to the internet.
Key facts
- This list details equipment and services covered by Section 2 of The Secure Networks Act, which, by their inclusion, are deemed to pose "an unacceptable risk" to US national security
- Since the ban was announced, Conditional Approval has been granted to a few companies, Netgear, Adtran [PDF] and Amazon's eero brand [PDF]
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced, about a month ago, an effective ban on new consumer-grade network routers manufactured abroad from being sold in the US
- The purported reason for the ban is national security, as The Register noted in March
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced, about a month ago, an effective ban on new consumer-grade network routers manufactured abroad from being sold in the US. Now, perhaps realizing it had made an oversight, the agency has updated its FAQs about the issue to include "consumer-grade portable or mobile MiFi Wi-Fi or hotspot devices for residential use" and "LTE/5G CPE devices for residential use," where CPE refers to customer premises equipment (CPE). This extends the ban to portable Wi-fi hotspot devices that provide internet access almost anywhere, and home routers that use a cellular connection to the internet instead of a landline. However, mobile phones that support hotspot features are not included, nor are industrial, enterprise, or military equipment, for now, at least.