Last month, the US announced a ban on certain foreign-made Wi-Fi router imports over security risks. While existing devices remain affected, future products face restrictions. A month later, it seems there’s an update on the matter. The ban on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers also affects portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices, as per an update from the FCC.
FCC’s foreign-made router ban also covers portable Wi-Fi hotspot
The FCC, on Wednesday, updated its FAQ on the ban to clarify which consumer-grade routers are subject to the restrictions. This specifies that the ban covers “consumer-grade portable or mobile MiFi Wi-Fi or hotspot devices for residential use.” Portable Wi-Fi hotspots are different from Wi-Fi home routers. Both provide internet, but portable Wi-Fi hotspots use a SIM card to connect to a cellular network, while home routers use an Ethernet connection.
The ban also covers “LTE/5G CPE devices for residential use,” which providers install for fixed wireless access and use a carrier’s cellular network to deliver home internet. The FAQ reiterates that the foreign-made router ban only applies to consumer-grade devices but not enterprise products. It also notes that phones with a hotspot function remain unaffected by the restrictions.
Phones with a hotspot function remain unaffected
The ban only affects new models that vendors plan to sell, not existing models, T-Mobile told PCMag. “The FCC’s updated list of ‘covered devices’ does not affect any existing routers that were previously approved, so current customers have nothing to worry about, and no action to take and their service will continue to operate normally with no equipment change necessary. T-Mobile will continue to work with the FCC and our vendors to ensure future routers are compliant with the FCC’s updated guidelines,” T-Mobile reportedly said.
The FCC is offering companies temporary exemptions from the foreign-made router ban. This involves submitting an application explaining why they still need to source manufacturing from outside the US in the short term and also showing plans to move production to the US. Amazon’s eero joined Netgear and Adtran to receive an 18-month exemption called “conditional approval.”
The FAQ update could be a subtle but significant expansion of the ban announced last month. The decision was based on concerns that foreign-made routers could create security risks that hackers could exploit.
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