FCC Bans New Foreign-Made Routers Over National Security Concerns

The Federal Communications Commission has banned all new consumer routers manufactured outside the United States, citing unacceptable national security and cybersecurity risks.

The ruling, effective March 23, applies only to new device models. Routers already in circulation or previously authorized remain legal for sale and use.

Routers, critical to household and business internet access, are now subject to strict domestic supply chain requirements. The FCC cited foreign-made devices as vulnerabilities in U.S. infrastructure.

Companies may seek conditional approval through the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security-requiring full supply chain disclosure and a time-bound plan to shift manufacturing to the U.S. Approvals are limited to 18 months.

This action follows similar moves against Chinese telecom equipment, including Huawei and ZTE, and extends a broader policy first applied to foreign drones in December.