The Federal Communications Commission has today issued a notice designating any consumer router manufactured outside the US as a security risk. The rule states that new foreign-made product models for network routers will fall on the covered list, a set of communications devices that are seen as posing an unacceptable risk to national security. Previously purchased routers can still be used and retailers can still sell models that were approved by prior FCC policies. In an exception to the general rule, routers included in the covered list can continue to receive updates until at least March 1, 2027, although the date could potentially be extended.
The move stems from a goal in the White House’s 2025 National Security Strategy that reads: “The United States should never depend on any outside power for the core components essential to the nation’s defense or economy – from raw materials to parts to finished products.” The FCC notice said companies can apply for conditional approval for new products from the War Department or the Department of Homeland Security. However, to receive conditional approval businesses need to provide a plan to move at least some of their manufacturing to the US.
Few, if any, brands known for consumer-grade routers currently make products stateside. It appears that this broad provision may face legal challenges and create confusion for many companies that have production facilities overseas. Apart from Chinese tech giants like TP-Link, American companies will also be affected. Netgear, Eero and Google Nest all have domestic headquarters but manufacture in Asia. At least some manufacturing activity takes place in areas such as Taiwan that have historically had good relations with the US. Don’t expect to see any new router models on store shelves until the sector resolves this new restriction.
<a href