FCC Blocks Foreign-Made Routers Over National Security Risks

This regulatory shift mirrors the agency’s recent drone import ban, targeting the supply chain to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Federal officials pointed to the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks as evidence that foreign-produced hardware remains a primary vector for compromising critical infrastructure, including water, energy, and transportation systems. The agency maintains that relying on overseas manufacturing for essential communications gear poses a structural risk to the American economy.

Consumers currently using foreign-made routers remain unaffected, and devices already holding valid radio authorization may continue to be imported. However, new product lines face a strict ultimatum: manufacturers must either secure conditional approval by demonstrating a roadmap for domestic production or abandon the U.S. market entirely. This move follows ongoing investigations into companies like TP-Link and signals a broader federal push to decouple American digital infrastructure from foreign hardware dependencies.