FCC Restricts Sales of New Foreign-Made Consumer Routers in U.S.
Summary
The FCC added foreign-made consumer routers to its Covered List, restricting sales of new models in the U.S. Conditional exemptions and an approval pathway apply; existing routers remain available, while consumers may face fewer models and higher prices.
Key points
- The FCC added all consumer routers manufactured abroad to its Covered List, barring sales of new models in the U.S.
- A National Security Determination cited supply-chain risks that could affect the U.S. economy, critical infrastructure, and national defense.
- The FCC cited foreign-made routers used by Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon in attacks targeting U.S. infrastructure.
- Conditional approval applies to certain routers used in Department of War or Department of Homeland Security drone systems.
- An alternative approval path requires disclosures about ownership, components, manufacturing locations, software origins, and plans to move critical-component manufacturing to the U.S.
- Existing routers remain available, and software and firmware updates for unmanned aircraft systems are allowed until at least January 1, 2027.
- The approval process may delay new models, increase costs, and lead some manufacturers to leave the U.S. market.
Article Details
- Event Type
- The FCC added consumer routers manufactured outside the United States to its Covered List, restricting sales of new foreign-made router models in the U.S. over assessed supply-chain and national security risks.
- Impact
- Existing routers may continue to be sold, and software and firmware updates for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and their critical components are allowed until at least January 1, 2027. Conditional exemptions and an alternative approval pathway are available. The article says consumers may face delayed access to new models, reduced availability, and higher prices.
Threat Actors
FlaxThe FCC cited Flax as among the hackers that used foreign-made routers in attacks targeting vital U.S. infrastructure.Salt TyphoonThe FCC cited Salt Typhoon as among the hackers that used foreign-made routers in attacks targeting vital U.S. infrastructure.VoltThe FCC cited Volt as among the hackers that used foreign-made routers in attacks targeting vital U.S. infrastructure.