FCC Bans Foreign-Made Consumer Routers Citing National Security Risks

• •The FCC has banned all new foreign-made consumer routers due to national security concerns.
• •Chinese manufacturers currently supply around 60% of the U.S. router market.
• •The ban does not affect existing routers but requires new models to obtain conditional approval.

On March 24, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers, citing unacceptable risks to U.S. national security. This decision affects routers produced outside the U.S., particularly those from Chinese manufacturers, which dominate the U.S. market with an estimated 60% share. The FCC's ruling follows a White House-led review that identified foreign routers as potential entry points for cyberattacks, linking them to major hacking campaigns like Volt and Salt Typhoon. Existing routers already authorized by the FCC can still be used, but new models will require conditional approval from the Departments of Defense or Homeland Security. Critics argue that the ban is overly broad and may not effectively address underlying security vulnerabilities. The ban reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt critical infrastructure. The FCC's action is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on foreign technology and enhance domestic cybersecurity.