US regulator blacklists all new foreign-made routers

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday banned authorisations for all new consumer routers manufactured abroad, citing “national security” concerns.

The FCC clarified that the ban does not apply to routers already in the hands of consumers and does not prevent retailers from importing or selling routers that previously received FCC equipment authorisation.

“By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed today apply to new device models,” the commission said.

Routers are electronic networking devices through which most households, businesses, and offices access the internet.

The national security assessment underlying the decision stated that “allowing routers produced abroad to dominate the US market creates unacceptable economic, national security, and countersecurity risks".

It noted that foreign-made routers pose threats to US supply chains and constitute a “severe cybersecurity risk".

In a statement, the FCC said technology companies could request exemptions for new router models by applying for a “conditional approval” from the Department of Defence and the Department of Homeland Security.

The conditional approval process requires detailed corporate and supply chain disclosures, along with a “time-bound plan to establish or expand manufacturing in the United States". Conditional approvals would be valid for up to 18 months, the FCC said.

In 2021, the FCC blacklisted telecommunications equipment from several major Chinese firms over national security concerns, including Huawei and ZTE, with additional companies added in 2022 and 2024.

In December, the FCC issued a similar national security-based determination banning drones manufactured abroad.