FCC Bans Foreign-Made Routers in New Models
▼ Summary
– The FCC will no longer approve new consumer router models manufactured outside the United States.
– This ban is based on a directive from President Trump to reduce foreign technology use for national security.
– Routers already approved for sale or previously purchased by consumers are not affected and can still be used.
– New models can only gain approval if U.S. security agencies certify they pose no national security risk.
– The prohibition applies to any company, U.S. or foreign, if a major stage of the router’s production occurs abroad.
In a significant move for national security, the Federal Communications Commission has halted its approval for new consumer router models manufactured outside the United States. This decision, enacted yesterday, stems from a directive by President Trump aimed at reducing American reliance on foreign technology. The new rule effectively bans the import and sale of any new router models that are not produced domestically.
Existing router models that have already received FCC authorization are not affected. Consumers can continue to use and purchase currently approved devices. The restriction specifically targets future models. For any new router designed or assembled even partially outside the U. S. to gain approval, it must first receive a security clearance. The Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security must certify that the device presents no national security risk.
This prohibition has a broad scope, applying equally to American and foreign companies. The FCC defines foreign production to encompass any critical phase in a device’s creation. This includes manufacturing, assembly, design, and development. If a major component of this process occurs overseas, the resulting new model will be barred from the U. S. market under the updated policy.
(Source: Ars Technica)
