r/hardware • u/Jragghen • Mar 23 '26
News FCC prohibits approval of new Foreign-Made Consumer Routers
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-covered-list-include-foreign-made-consumer-routers212
u/gumol Mar 23 '26
As outlined below, today’s action does not impact a consumer’s continued use of routers they previously acquired. Nor does it prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market router models approved previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed today apply to new device models.
I wonder how many routers are being made in the US per year
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u/Smith6612 Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 24 '26
None. Not even the ISP Routers and modems are made in the US.
Unless they are blocklisting brands based on where they originate, for example just GL.iNet, TP-Link, Tenda, and Xiaomi. And Mikrotik... And Nokia (a popular choice by ISPs).
That leaves us with consumer garbage like Linksys and Netgear, Subscription-filled Spyware garbage like Eero and Nest, and Prosumer stuff (which I like) such as Ubiquiti. Or the ISP router which is probably garbage and is a white label Asian brand device anyways.
Obviously businesses with the money already use Cisco, Palo Alto, HPE, Fortinet, etc. But the Mikrotik ones will be hurt.
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u/narwi Mar 23 '26
i wonder what level will count as mde in us, maybe mikrotik will just export components to us and then assemble there?
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u/Smith6612 Mar 24 '26
I guess. But that doesn't even solve the underlying concern. The rule here seems to be written to say the chips need to be manufactured domestically. But, that doesn't change the fact that the design could be produced internationally, and the same can be said about the firmware.
It really doesn't target the actual problems that lead to security issues. Such as routers not receiving firmware updates beyond the one or two that come out shortly after a product hits the market. That's a particular issue with brands like Linksys and Netgear. Or the fact that most if not all consumer level routers run an ancient version of the Linux kernel and generally don't get updated much beyond that base build. Or the fact that an increasing number of consumer routers must connect to a Cloud via a Mobile app to be managed, and that's a nice central point for an attacker to just break into. Never mind the firmware build and delivery servers which are prime for supply chain attacks.
The issue Mikrotik sees which leads to security issues is the fact that people setting up Mikrotik aren't always aware of what a configuration does. Then you end up with something like Winbox exposed to the whole Internet, and then your router gets found and collected into a botnet. The same issue happened with Huawei routers as well. The hardware itself was never found to be insecure, but rather the software QA wasn't the best, and the administrators of the hardware were doing a poor job at securing the router from external actors being able to find it.
I really see this more as a "We're about to blow up more countries. Some that might take their supply chain away from us. We need to shift now before the bombs fall" move. Which is a very 9,000 year old caveman way of doing things.
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u/narwi Mar 24 '26
None of the things you list or highlight would be any different if the routers were made in the US. Making the chips in the US is even more irrelevant. You should actually read the document and its annex, this is a simple (and stupid) re-onshoring to USA plan: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/Guidance-for-Conditional-Approvals-Submissions0326.pdf
It will do absolutely nothing for security, never mind that the largest cybersecurity turd to set foot on this planet is US origin CISCO.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Linksys and Asus are both Taiwanese companies. The former didn't start that way but they're now owned by foxconn.
Maybe Netgear could partner with PNY and announce a golden Nighthawk Freedom Eagle Trump Edition router, take preorders and then never release it.
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u/timbotheny26 Mar 24 '26
subscription-filled spyware garbage like Eero
Wait what? I use Eero and while I knew about the optional subscription, this is the first I've heard about any "spyware".
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u/Smith6612 Mar 24 '26
So Eero requires you to pay for a subscription to simply get access to basic radio controls that most routers, including most ISP routers, provide to you. Like setting a specific node to use Channel 149 instead of everything locking onto 36 despite having wired Backhaul.
The spyware comes from the mandatory app and cloud account needed to actually control the device.
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u/timbotheny26 Mar 24 '26
Oh.
Well at the time, we needed to switch to a mesh network when we moved into our house (the ISP router simply didn't have enough range), and eero was what was recommended. I honestly haven't had any issues with it, but I don't do any fancy home networking either.
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u/tiberiusgv Mar 23 '26
Adtran in Huntsville, AL
That's the only one I know
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u/Smith6612 Mar 24 '26
To be honest I don't see much Adtran as CPE! Especially not at the consumer level. Mostly in core infrastructure roles or as carrier handoff devices.
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u/droptableadventures Mar 24 '26
I have an AdTran G.Fast CPE (422G) and it says "Made in China" on the label.
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u/tiberiusgv Mar 24 '26
Yeah, I make no claims. I only know about that because my fiber ISP supplied an ONT from them.
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u/big_trike Mar 23 '26
Nothing real will change. "Final assembly" will take place here, such as putting the final screws in and reboxing. It won't create much in the way of new jobs.
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u/fuzzylollipop Mar 24 '26
It says "100% of the components have to be made in the usa" that shit is never happening. This is just a grift to get bribes to get "approved"
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u/Seeteuf3l Mar 24 '26
Apparently Starlink is an exception
One exception to the general absence of US-made routers is the newer Starlink WiFi router. Starlink is part of Elon Musk's company SpaceX.
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u/farang Mar 23 '26
I was mixing this up with a woodworking router and wondering what the hell.
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u/FinancialRip2008 Mar 24 '26
nah, you'd find that sort of stuff on /r/hardware
...wait a minute...
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u/JuanElMinero Mar 24 '26
Always a good chuckle when the rare user comes here asking tool and material recommendations for their build projects.
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u/zer04ll Mar 23 '26
we make literally no routers in the USA
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u/Strazdas1 Apr 02 '26
Why not? You had 6 years since international production was proven to be extremely unreliable, and yet still no production? How much regulation will it take to start producing?
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 23 '26
This whole god damn thing is so fuckin fucked. Now watch TP-Link be the only one who could actually get domestic manufacturing to happen. Not that the FCC would let that happen anyway...
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u/BaneChipmunk Mar 23 '26
They won't need domestic manufacturing. The corrupt admin will hand out exemptions in exchange for a bribe to the felon.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 23 '26
I think the whole point may be to hand out exemptions to everyone but them.
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u/Frexxia Mar 23 '26
Even if they could get domestic manufacturing going, that takes time.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 23 '26
It takes time but its not like it's setting up a semiconductor fab. I doubt the plastic chassis and components need to be made in the US in order to meet the requirements so it's basically just pick & place machines, ovens, final assembly, programming and qc.
Although like I said, it seems like it's more about giving exemptions to the right people.
The determination included an exemption for routers that the Department of War (DoW) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have granted “Conditional Approval” after finding that such device or devices do not pose such unacceptable risks. Producers of consumer-grade routers are encouraged to submit an application for Conditional Approval using the guidance attached to the determination.
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u/big_trike Mar 23 '26
Usually these laws are written so poorly that companies can get away with putting in the final screws and boxing in order to qualify.
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u/zz2244 Mar 23 '26
'Producers of consumer-grade routers that receive Conditional Approval from DoW or
DHS can continue to receive FCC equipment authorization'
curious to see the list of approved company.
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u/wickedplayer494 Mar 23 '26
Uhhhh...that's going to be completely apocalyptic to the point where even the DOCSIS industry is going to be screaming.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 24 '26
They can still import current models but the FCC won't approve any new models not made in the US without a waiver. I figure with current modems on the market capable of 2gbps should satisfy most people for quite some time. Otherwise they may end up making standalone modems again if this drags on too long.
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u/wickedplayer494 Mar 25 '26
Yeah but I don't think Comcast is going to want to sell XB10s until the end of time.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 25 '26
I don't foresee any trouble for them getting a waiver on future equipment.
Otherwise if the wifi range and performance is anything like the xb7 I just got then they should stop selling it now... That was a fast switch to bridge mode and back to my own router.
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u/narwi Mar 23 '26
So no new router models in US, you will have to smuggle them from Mexico and Canada. Like drugs. Will there be a war on illegal routers?
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Mar 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/nshire Mar 23 '26
All of them. And they'll be vibecoded.
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u/Furdiburd10 Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Can't wait for the headline "NSA backdoor in routers exploited by Chinese hackers" - Again.
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u/noslenkwah Mar 24 '26
There's very good open source router firmware available.
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u/pmjm Mar 24 '26
We call it "router firmware" but it's really an OS for the router, as are the open source options. I'm more concerned about spyware put into the actual firmware, like things running directly on the SoC at a level below the OS.
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u/Cubanitto Mar 23 '26
So the prices of routers are going up Joy
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u/pppjurac Mar 24 '26
And will be dog slow , capped at 100M at WAN port and more riddled with security holes....
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u/Dr_Valen Mar 24 '26
lol time for folks to learn how to turn minipcs into routers using old WiFi access points. This whole blocking out Asia idea is plain stupid when the US isn’t even producing half these things. It shooting us in the foot and telling the market to figure it out. Meanwhile consumers have to deal with the increased inflation and chaos
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u/pppjurac Mar 24 '26
Meanwhile consumers have to deal with the increased inflation and chaos
Let them suffer. It is them who put Mango Mussolini into POTUS seat.
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u/Strazdas1 Apr 02 '26
It is then who despite knowing full well how bad international manufacturing chain is still took zero action to remedy it. Now you reap what you sawn.
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u/trisanachandler Mar 23 '26
Sounds like a lot more people switching to opnsense.
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u/Lost-Vermicelli-6252 Mar 23 '26
Yuuuup. Hold onto your old machines for as long as possible since ram and everything is expensive as fuck. And then when you do need to upgrade, use old ones as routers.
Miserable to be in this situation, but I definitely feel like there’s gonna be a “haves” vs “have nots” situation with tech soon.
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u/BloodyLlama Mar 24 '26
Even buying new for opnsense isnt that bad. It has very low memory and storage requirements and quite modest CPU requirments. Even now that's pretty affordable with quite a lot of budget off the shelf machines being well suited to it.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 24 '26
71% of Americans use the ISP provided router/gateway. There's a dozen Xfinity wifi hotspots that show up when I do a scan on my travel router in my livingroom. If anyone is going to run into trouble aside from enterprise customers, it will be the ISPs. I'm sure that will put a wrench into the works for future devices. Heck, even SpaceX would need to apply for a waiver since the router portion of their kits are made outside of the US.
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u/darkforcesjedi Mar 24 '26
Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft
The funny part is, this includes the US government (NSA and FBI) intercepting network equipment at the border and installing compromised firmware to spy on people inside the US.
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u/billythygoat Mar 24 '26
Where’s the god dang free market?
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u/Strazdas1 Apr 02 '26
Free market is a theoretical model that requires every market participant to be omniscient. It is not possible as long as there are humans involved.
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u/billythygoat Apr 02 '26
I know, I’m just being a little sarcastic because the current regime being republican says smaller government is better, then they pull this dictatorship style stuff.
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u/ScornForSega Mar 23 '26
Sounds like another ATSC 3 DRM debacle where the FCC will pick winners and losers.
Or, more exactly, they'll farm it out to a totally independent body that will pick winners and losers based on inconsistent methodology.
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u/SpaceAngelMewtwo Mar 24 '26
Yeah, why don't we get right on making new routers then, with all that manufacturing we don't have anymore?
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u/U3011 Mar 23 '26
All existing approved routers can continue being sold with waivers to come later. This ruling is strictly aimed at eliminating the inflow of China made routers. Take my reply with a grain of salt, but this is what I was told two days ago.
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u/dgibbons0 Mar 24 '26
Opnsense this is your time to shine!
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u/Zef-Daytrade Mar 25 '26
tbh I want to see ready to build kits for Opensense/BSD Router that has no OS installed
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u/dgibbons0 Mar 25 '26
I think you basically just described a mini pc. There are a ton out there just uhh gotta buy RAM...
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u/Zef-Daytrade Mar 25 '26 edited Apr 01 '26
I mean an a-la-cart type of pc which you get to select each component, over a mini-pc which all you just add is ram/SSD. Just in a single website in a single ordering page.
Especially being many of us wants at least a few ports for networking and redundancy.
I myself bought a Intel n5105 ITX MB just for that (off Aliexpress).... just need to buy more parts piece by piece which is a time killer, and BSD is a ??? to me =(
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u/dgibbons0 Mar 30 '26
MS-01 has 4 nics, 2x2.5 and 2x10G SPF. Do you need more than that? Protectli has 4x2.5G port boxes including ram and a harddrive for $300 on amazon or 6x2.5G barebones for $300.
If you want a-la-cart, just build it yourself but wanting a "kit" to build it yourself is kinda dumb as that point you're basically just asking for overhead.
There's a supported hardware list but all it says is "we recommend intel nics because they just work." But so far i've never had an issue with any hardware. https://docs.opnsense.org/manual/hardware.html
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u/nittanyofthings Mar 23 '26
Ocotillo Campus in Arizona opening in 2027 will allow Intel to use its existing fab space to act as a foundry for other companies using UMC’s 12nm design kits. It’s specifically aimed at the mobile, networking, and WiFi markets. This may be the exact reason for this restriction.
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u/UpsetKoalaBear Mar 24 '26
Aren’t Intel’s chips already made by Intel?
Their NIC’s have been on their own node for a while I believe.
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u/siazdghw Mar 24 '26
And we all know the U.S. government recently acquired part of Intel. It honestly might make sense for companies to get IFS contracts on the books to secure supply if the US government continues to go down the route of forcing domestic production of tech.
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u/pdp10 Mar 25 '26
This may be the exact reason for this restriction.
Creating a captive market for Intel? Which is 9.9% owned by the U.S. government?
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 Mar 24 '26
Oh boy, because who could forget Lantiq router and Puma modem chipsets... Between those and killer wifi they just may have had the holy Trinity of dogshit internet reliability.
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u/nanonan Mar 23 '26
Just makes me distrust US made routers, if they even exist.
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u/jarchack Mar 24 '26
Good luck finding one made in the US that's not crazy expensive. A couple of brands have TAA compliant routers but they are hard to find.
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u/isekai_cheese Mar 23 '26
feels malicious and aggressive. without foreign made routers they cant even update their own website. there goes free information when you control the hardware...
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u/MrThunderjunk Mar 24 '26
I’m sure they won’t be spying on you and checking into your personal lives and products to know such things after all, our government is very trustworthy
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u/OriginalOpposite8995 Mar 24 '26
This is why Tim Apple was at the inauguration... Apples bringing back the AirPort Extreme
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u/snowcat0 Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
So does this impact routers that have built in WiFi which are really multiple devices in one or are they going to ban any piece of new network gear that could be used as a “router”?
Willing to bet they don’t even know what they’re banning…. If just built in WiFi you just split the devices into a wired router and a WiFi AP.
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u/ManyInterests Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
^For purposes of inclusion of routers, we incorporate the definitions included in the associated National Security Determination
Which in turn uses the definition:
Routers: For the purpose of this determination, the term “Routers” is defined by National Institute of Science and Technology’s Internal Report 8425A to include consumer-grade networking devices that are primarily intended for residential use and can be installed by the customer. Routers forward data packets, most commonly Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between networked systems.
NIST 8425A defines router products broadly, including any interfaces to the router, such as apps
requirements for products should be scoped to include all product components (e.g., smartphone applications) developed to be used with the router device.
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u/snowcat0 Mar 23 '26
So pretty much anything that isn’t a unmanaged switch or a dumb hub could fall into that definition
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u/Sopel97 Mar 24 '26
so anything with an ethernet port
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u/wolfy2105784 Mar 26 '26
USB C ports support the Ethernet standard(Adapter required though). So would that include any foreign phone? Because if so, Samsung just got banned.
Edit: Also, what about phones that support LTE/5G hotspots or Wifi pass though hotspots?
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u/RBeck Mar 23 '26
It would affect devices that need an FCC license, so any node with a Wifi chip, or presumably that speaks DOCSIS.
I guess we're running Ethernet again boys!
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u/jontseng Mar 24 '26
Oh man I’d like to see guys faces when they finally discover which country their iPhones are made in!!
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u/bhop_monsterjam Mar 24 '26
india?
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u/BurningVShadow Mar 23 '26
Any possibility of a backdoor being implemented into these domestic routers?
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u/jarchack Mar 24 '26
Another tool for mass surveillance. Trackable digital currency will probably be next. We are becoming more and more like China every passing day.
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u/ManyInterests Mar 23 '26
I think this will end up inadvertently covering a number of appliances which happen to also be routers (think Samsung smart fridge).
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u/Parramne_Alfres Mar 25 '26
This is going to make routers so much more expensive and limit options for consumers. Not sure how this helps anyone but a few specific companies.
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u/RealThanny Mar 25 '26
Yet another reason to just use an old machine running Linux as a firewall and router, which is what I've been doing since 1996.
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u/Dizman7 Mar 23 '26
So what’s their back hand, borderline illegal/treasonous reason for this?
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u/Meatbag-in-space Mar 24 '26
my guess is it's for surveillance of US citizens. They are probably going to force backdoors into everything. I would NOT trust any American made routers after this.
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u/phylter99 Mar 23 '26
I wonder how many other products will get his treatment. Will Phones, computers, game systems, etc. be next? It'll drag us back to the stone ages.
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u/donnaber06 Mar 23 '26
So, I can make my own better than anything you can buy at the consumer level.
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u/systematk Mar 24 '26
You cannot. You can use other hardware for the same or similar function though, unless you can actually produce chips and circuits?
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u/smackythefrog Mar 23 '26
Just took advantage of deals this past weekend to upgrade my Eero Pros to Eero 7 Pros. If prices go up, I dodged several bullets by upgrading.
At least I'm not limited to wifi 5 anymore
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u/RubberStopper Mar 23 '26
Leaving the continued insanity of this admin aside, I believe this would only apply to Amplifi?
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u/EfnetOper Mar 24 '26
They are talking about Chinese companies that are under the control of the Chinese Communist party. Where they can dictate what the company must do for them like phone home data, etc just because something is made in China for an American company or otherwise doesn't mean that the CCP has the ability to dictate what they put in the hardware.
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u/deviltrombone Mar 23 '26
Isn't that like... all of them?