FCC clears Netgear while the foreign-made router ban stays in place

Netgear has become the first clear exception to the FCC’s foreign-made router ban, giving it room to keep launching new consumer routers in the US even though its hardware is built overseas. The policy has already started to cloud the outlook for several router brands, especially those still waiting to learn how the FCC will handle future approvals.

The approval runs through October 1, 2027 and covers a broad range of Netgear gear, including Nighthawk and Orbi models, plus some cable gateways and modems. The FCC said the Defense Department reviewed Netgear’s request and found the products did not pose a national security risk, but the agency didn’t explain what specifically set Netgear apart.

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Netgear still doesn’t get a free pass. Each product has to clear the FCC’s normal equipment authorization process before it can stay on sale in the US for the long haul.

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