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FCC adds foreign-made routers to banned equipment list
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Monday that all new consumer-grade internet routers manufactured outside the United States will be prohibited from import, sale, or marketing due to national security concerns.
Routers targeted over cybersecurity vulnerabilities
The FCC stated that foreign-made routers have been exploited by malicious actors to launch attacks on American households, disrupt networks, conduct espionage, and steal intellectual property. The decision aligns routers with previously banned foreign-made drones, which faced restrictions late last year.
"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 said.
Existing devices unaffected, but new models face strict approval
While consumers can continue using foreign-made routers they already own, the ban applies to all new device models. Any router manufactured outside the U.S. must now receive FCC approval before entering the market. To obtain approval, companies must disclose foreign investors or influences and present a plan to shift manufacturing to the U.S.
Exceptions may be granted if the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security deems a router secure, though no exemptions have been issued yet.
Recent cyberattacks fuel regulatory action
The FCC's decision follows a Friday assessment by national security agencies, which concluded that overseas-made routers pose "unacceptable risks" to U.S. infrastructure. These risks include potential disruptions to supply chains and large-scale cyberattacks.
The agency cited three cyber incidents-Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon-between 2024 and 2025, all linked to actors allegedly backed by the Chinese government. Investigations found that compromised routers played a role in these attacks.
Most routers manufactured abroad, raising industry concerns
The majority of routers sold in the U.S. are assembled or manufactured in Taiwan or China, even if designed domestically. Popular brands like Netgear, which produces all its devices overseas, could face challenges under the new rules.
One exception is SpaceX's Starlink WiFi router, which the company states is manufactured in Texas. The FCC's ban applies regardless of design origin if production occurs outside the U.S.
Political and industry reactions expected
TP-Link, a China-based router brand and Amazon best-seller, became a focal point of U.S. political scrutiny last year following a series of cyberattacks. The FCC's move is likely to spark debate over supply chain security and the feasibility of shifting manufacturing to the U.S.
