Business · Wired
What You Need to Know About the Foreign-Made Router Ban in the US
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In March, the Federal Communications Commission banned new consumer internet routers manufactured outside the US, citing national security concerns.
Key facts
- The FCC has published a waiver that states, “All routers authorized for use in the United States may continue to receive software and firmware updates that mitigate harm to US consumers at least
- These routers can continue to be sold, used, and updated with new firmware, at least until March 1, 2027
- This includes firmware and other software updates for existing and new devices, thus superseding the firmware waiver deadline of March 1, 2027
- Updated May 2026: They've added more info on software and component updates, that mobile hotspots are included in the ban, and Conditional Approval has been granted to a few companies
Summary
While the headline is that foreign-made consumer routers are banned, manufacturers can apply for exemptions, and some have been approved. Updated May 2026: They've added more info on software and component updates, that mobile hotspots are included in the ban, and Conditional Approval has been granted to a few companies. “Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft,” the FCC wrote. Foreign-made consumer routers were added to the Covered List, which details equipment and services “deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States.”