The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has clarified its ban on foreign-made consumer routers, confirming that the regulation now includes portable hotspot devices. However, mobile phones with hotspot features remain exempt from this prohibition.
This clarification means companies producing consumer hotspots will require government exemption to import and sell new devices not previously approved by the FCC. Devices already approved for sale in the U.S. can continue to be imported and sold without special permission.
The FCC's definition of routers is broad, allowing for the inclusion of various consumer networking devices. The ban now explicitly covers portable or mobile MiFi Wi-Fi or hotspot devices for residential use, as well as consumer or small/medium business routers intended for retail sale and self-installation. It also applies to LTE/5G customer premises equipment (CPE) for residential use, professionally installed residential routers, and residential gateways combining modem and router functions.