New FCC Policy Blocks Foreign-Manufactured Wi-Fi Routers from US Market

The US Federal Communications Commission has added all foreign-produced consumer-grade Wi-Fi routers to its "Covered List," according to an announcement that prevents new models from receiving approval, sale, or importation into the United States. The decision follows a national security determination by a White House-backed interagency body that concluded foreign-made routers pose unacceptable risks to US infrastructure and citizens.

The FCC requires equipment authorization before any Wi-Fi router can be sold in the United States. Under the new policy, manufacturers of routers made abroad may request conditional approval by demonstrating to US authorities that their devices do not present security risks. Without such approval, new foreign-manufactured router models cannot enter the market.

As reported by Android Authority, the policy does not affect Wi-Fi routers that are already in use or those previously approved for use in the country. Consumers can continue using existing devices, and retailers may still sell current inventory. The FCC explicitly stated that "this action DOES NOT affect routers that are already in use or those that have been previously approved."

The FCC and national security agencies identified supply chain vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks as primary concerns motivating the decision. Officials warned that compromised routers could disrupt critical infrastructure, enable espionage, and harm US users. The FCC's announcement referenced previous cyberattacks, including Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, in which foreign-made networking equipment played a role.

The policy potentially affects multiple global networking manufacturers that rely on foreign production facilities. These include ASUS, Netgear, and TP-Link, among others. Companies such as Google's Nest routers and Amazon's Eero, which are manufactured overseas, could also be subject to the new requirements.

Netgear released a statement to Bloomberg regarding the announcement: "We commend the Administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans." Other companies have not yet issued official responses to the policy change.

The FCC's decision represents a shift toward applying national security considerations to consumer networking equipment approval processes. Manufacturers seeking to introduce new router models to the US market must now navigate additional security review requirements as part of the equipment authorization process.

Source: Android Authority