Starlink · China · FCC · U.S. · Ars Technica
After banning foreign routers, FCC confirms existing ones can get updates until 2029
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The Federal Communications Commission is relenting a bit on its restrictive router rules, saying it will allow foreign-made routers to receive software and firmware updates until at least January 1, 2029.
Key facts
- The Federal Communications Commission is relenting a bit on its restrictive router rules, saying it will allow foreign-made routers to receive software and firmware updates until at least January 1
- Previously, the FCC said routers currently on the market or already sold to consumers could receive security patches and other updates only until March 1, 2027
- One router maker still waiting for an exemption is TP-Link, which was founded in China but relocated to the US in 2024
- The new 2029 cutoff date announced Friday applies to foreign-made routers and foreign-made drones, which were both added to the Covered List
Summary
Previously, the FCC said routers currently on the market or already sold to consumers could receive security patches and other updates only until March 1, 2027. The software-update cutoff date is part of a sweeping set of rules the FCC announced in March. Specifically, the FCC said in March that it would stop approving consumer-grade routers made outside the US, an action that affects virtually every router maker (with the possible exception of Starlink). The hardware ban is only for new devices, so all routers previously approved for sale in the US can continue to be imported and sold without obtaining a special exemption.