The Federal Communications Commission has updated its Covered List to include all consumer routers manufactured outside the United States, effectively restricting the sale of new foreign-made router models in the country.
The Covered List was established under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 and identifies communications equipment and services considered a risk to national security or public safety. Until now, the list mainly targeted specific companies and products linked to security concerns, including Huawei, ZTE, Kaspersky, Hikvision, and Dahua.
The latest decision follows a national security determination issued on March 20 by a federal interagency body. According to the assessment, routers produced outside the U.S. pose supply chain risks that could potentially disrupt the economy, critical infrastructure, and national defense systems. Authorities also warned that such devices could be exploited to carry out attacks capable of causing serious harm.
The FCC pointed to past cyber incidents, including attacks associated with groups known as Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, where foreign-manufactured routers were reportedly used to target key infrastructure.
Despite the new restrictions, certain exemptions have been introduced. Routers used by the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security in drone systems have received conditional approval, as they are not considered a significant security threat.
Foreign manufacturers are not completely barred from entering the U.S. market. They can still apply for approval if they meet strict transparency requirements. These include disclosing ownership structures, any foreign government involvement, detailed supply chain information, and plans to shift critical manufacturing processes to the United States.
For consumers, there will be no immediate impact. Existing routers will continue to be available, and current devices will remain supported, including software and firmware updates until at least January 1, 2027 for certain systems.
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However, the long-term effects could include fewer options and higher prices. The added regulatory steps may delay the launch of new router models in the U.S., and some manufacturers may choose to exit the market altogether rather than meet the new requirements.
