FCC Adds Foreign-Made Routers to Covered List

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially added foreign-made consumer routers to its "covered list," effectively prohibiting the approval of new models from these sources. This decision stems from national security concerns identified by executive branch agencies regarding the potential risks associated with consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries. The FCC's action will prevent the certification and market entry of new router models that do not meet the specified security requirements.

This update requires manufacturers and importers of consumer routers to ensure their products are not sourced from entities on the covered list. Companies that currently rely on or plan to introduce new models from foreign manufacturers must review their supply chains and product certifications. Failure to comply may result in the inability to obtain FCC approval for new products, impacting market access and potentially leading to enforcement actions. While a specific compliance deadline is not explicitly stated for existing products, the prohibition on approving new models is immediate.