FCC Bans Foreign-Made Routers Amid Security Concerns

• •The FCC banned new foreign-made routers on March 23, 2026, citing national security risks.
• •Only routers with Conditional Approval can receive firmware updates after March 1, 2027.
• •Netgear is currently the only approved manufacturer, while TP-Link faces legal challenges.

On March 23, 2026, the FCC banned new foreign-made consumer-grade routers due to national security risks. This decision affects all router manufacturers without prior FCC authorization, limiting their ability to import and sell new models in the U.S. The ban was prompted by concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers and foreign adversaries. Currently, only routers with Conditional Approval from the Department of War or Homeland Security can receive firmware updates after March 1, 2027. Netgear has received approval, while TP-Link has not, leading to ongoing legal disputes between the two companies. The ban has significant implications for IT environments, requiring users to verify the origin of their routers. Existing models authorized before the ban can still be sold and used until their firmware support ends.