"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced an effective ban on new consumer-grade network routers manufactured abroad from being sold in the US, now including mobile hotspots and routers using 5G cellular connections."
"The purported reason for the ban is national security, as the FCC updated its Covered List to include all foreign-made consumer routers, deemed to pose 'an unacceptable risk' to US national security."
"The policy has drawn criticism because the vast majority of consumer router kit is manufactured abroad, or perhaps assembled in the US from foreign-made components."
"The ban has also drawn criticism as a thinly veiled attempt to compel domestic manufacturing, since obtaining an exemption requires vendors to commit to US-based production and submit a detailed, time-bound plan to achieve it."
The FCC has clarified its ban on foreign-made routers to include mobile hotspots and domestic routers that utilize 5G cellular connections. This ban, aimed at enhancing national security, extends to consumer-grade portable Wi-Fi devices and LTE/5G customer premises equipment. However, mobile phones with hotspot capabilities are exempt. The rule does not apply retroactively, allowing existing models to remain in use. Critics argue the ban may push for domestic manufacturing, as exemptions require vendors to commit to US-based production plans.
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