FCC Bans Foreign-Made Routers, Citing National Security Concerns
The action doesn't apply to routers currently on store shelves, but raises questions about what to expect. Here's what consumers need to know.
Citing national security concerns, the FCC has banned all new foreign-made router models from being imported or sold in the U.S. And, because virtually every consumer WiFi router available in the U.S. today is manufactured overseas, this has understandably raised a lot of questions.
The good news: If you already own a WiFi router, nothing changes for you.
But the decision could reshape the router market in the months ahead. Here’s what you need to know.
What's the Reason for the Ban?
The FCC says it’s acting on a directive from a White House-convened national security body that found that foreign-produced WiFi routers pose “unacceptable risks” to national security. The agency specifically cited the recent state-sponsored Volt Typhoon, Flax Typhoon, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks, which exploited vulnerabilities in home and small-office routers to gain access to American networks and critical infrastructure.
Does This Affect the Router You Already Own?
No. The FCC has been clear on this point: If you already own a WiFi router, you can continue using it. Retailers can also keep selling models that have received FCC authorization (confirmed by an FCC ID on the device). The ban applies only to models that have not yet completed the FCC’s equipment authorization process.
Are Any Routers Actually Made in the U.S.?
This is the big question, and the honest answer is that we’re not aware of any major consumer router brand that currently manufactures its products domestically. Even American-headquartered companies typically produce their routers overseas. Netgear manufactures models in Vietnam and Taiwan. Google’s Nest models are made in Vietnam and China.
The FCC defines “produced” broadly, according to the agency’s FAQ. It covers not just where a router is physically assembled, but also where it’s designed and developed. That means even a router made by an American company could be considered foreign-produced if key steps in the process occur overseas.
Should You Rush Out and Buy a New Router?
There’s no reason to panic-buy. The routers currently on store shelves have been authorized by the FCC and are perfectly legal to purchase and use. This isn’t a situation where products are being pulled off shelves overnight.
That said, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your router, there’s no harm in doing it relatively soon. While approved models remain available, the pipeline for new models is uncertain.
The FCC has not said how long a conditional approval process that could allow certain foreign-made routers back onto the market will take, so it’s unclear when new router models will start appearing on store shelves again.
Can Manufacturers Still Sell Foreign-Made Routers?
Yes, but only models that already have FCC authorization. For new models, manufacturers will have to either produce them domestically or apply for conditional approval through the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security. If approved, those routers would be exempt from the ban.
It’s also worth noting that the FCC has not stated whether this rule applies to mesh WiFi satellite units, range extenders, or the gateway devices provided by internet service providers like Xfinity and AT&T. Consumer Reports has asked the FCC for clarification and will update this story when we hear back.
What Are Router Makers Saying?
Late on Monday, Consumer Reports reached out to all 11 router brands featured in our ratings: Acer, Asus, D-Link, Eero, ExpressVPN, Google, Linksys, MSI, Netgear, Synology, and TP-Link.
Netgear, which is headquartered in the U.S., was the first to respond, saying it commends “the Administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans.” The company emphasized its history of “security-first design” and vowed to continue to adhere to government regulations.
TP-Link, which has faced scrutiny from members of Congress over potential security concerns (disputed by the company), said that the ban “appears to affect virtually all new consumer-grade routers being sold in the United States.” The company added that it is “confident in the security of our supply chain" and has “already been planning to establish U.S.-based manufacturing to complement our existing company-owned facilities in Vietnam.” All current TP-Link models in the U.S. market remain authorized for sale, the company said.
We’ll update this story as other manufacturers respond.
BEST TIME TO BUY:
