US bans sale of all *new model* non-US made wifi routers

[maxbraketorque]

I'm surprised there isn't already a post on this announcement. Seems like a big deal for US consumers and the industry.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-just-banned-the-sale-of-new-wi-router-models-made-outside-us

 

[OzarkEdge]

Some FCC links on this matter:
News Release
Covered List (see March 23, 2026, entry at bottom of list)
FAQs

Fun FAQ: The Covered List does not restrict the import or sale of routers for the exclusive use by the federal government.

Operative word is 'leverage'... want to import a home router?... see the Executive Branch.

OE

 

[Tech9]

Hmm... this requirement effectively bans almost everything currently available on the market.

Designed in the US devices from Cisco, Netgear, Ubiquiti, etc. are all made outside of the US too.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Would seem so.

OE

 

[degrub]

Taco time !

 

[bbunge]

Am wondering what the US Internet Service Providers will do for home routers? File for an exception? Service here is sure to suffer if this goes through...

Oh it is great to live in America... United States that is...

 

[Tech9]

Without going into details, two possibilities:

- Someone woke up in the morning and before taking the pills generated an entire industry damaging decision. A buddy from US based multi-billion dollar company will call and the decision will be reversed, modified, the company will be exempt, etc.

- The buddy called long time ago and a plan was made how to make even more money by eliminating the competition using "unacceptable risk" to national security reasons. A company already announced their devices are made in Texas, exempt already.

 

[degrub]

Since almost all of the vulnerabilities are firmware/software related, forcing manufacturing within the US doesn't really make any difference. Next up, i guess, will be all the PCs, computers, switches, servers, etc... At that point, we won't care if Taiwan is invaded by PRC.

 

[degrub]

Without going into details, two possibilities:

- Someone woke up in the morning and before taking the pills generated an entire industry damaging decision. A buddy from US based multi-billion dollar company will call and the decision will be reversed, modified, the company will be exempt, etc.

- The buddy called long time ago and a plan was made how to make even more money by eliminating the competition using "unacceptable risk" to national security reasons. A company already announced their devices are made in Texas, exempt already.

Yes, of course. Only T brand routers, computers, chips, etc will be available.

 

[degrub]

Of course, Phishing is no longer an issue either once we replace all users with Ai Bots...US bots only, please !

 

[Tech9]

A company...

Source - BBC:
"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. The company says the Starlink routers are made in Texas."

US friends, there are options available. Here:

Starlink

High-speed internet. Available almost anywhere on Earth.

starlink.com

Problem solved.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Am wondering what the US Internet Service Providers will do for home routers?

The immediate effect in current market conditions may be to establish ISPs as the only home network gateway equipment supplier… the gatekeeper in all respects until something changes in the federal government or OEMs start producing consumer electronics in country

OE

 

[OzarkEdge]

Without going into details, two possibilities:

The details are always the same... leverage, punish, reward, and deceive.

OE

 

[bbunge]

I just got approval from the CFO to purchase a new router for a backup!

Next...get the new passports...

 

[OzarkEdge]

US friends, there are options available.

Of all the ISP gatekeepers, I would think Starlink is the most vulnerable to shrapnel.

OE

 

[Tech9]

Imagine when someone realizes most routers even US made run some variation of a software written by random Finnish hacker. Secret service agents dispatched right away and the poor guy is... finished.

 

[Poseidon]

I’ll gladly pay a premium for USA made products. Stop exporting jobs and pay overseas.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

 

[Tech9]

You already pay a premium. They just cash the difference and leave you jobless. As a result some US based companies have cash reserves enough to buy a country and call it... Appleland for example.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I’ll gladly pay a premium for USA made products. Stop exporting jobs and pay overseas.

The premium, if you really want to pay it, has been to stop buying product not produced in the US. Can you afford that?

Offering to pay a premium is a convenient notion but it doesn't solve the many real issues in play.

OE