FCC approves Netgear while the ban on routers made overseas remains intact.

      Netgear has emerged as a notable exception to the FCC’s ban on foreign-made routers, allowing the company to continue launching new consumer routers in the US despite its products being manufactured abroad. This new policy has created uncertainty for many router brands, particularly those awaiting clarity on future FCC approvals.

      The current approval is valid until October 1, 2027, and encompasses a wide range of Netgear products, including Nighthawk and Orbi models, as well as various cable gateways and modems. The FCC indicated that the Defense Department reviewed Netgear’s application and determined that their products do not present a national security threat, but did not specify what differentiates Netgear from others.

      However, Netgear is not completely exempt; every product must still pass the FCC's standard equipment authorization process to remain available in the US long-term.

      The exemption is beneficial but only temporarily

      The significant advantage for Netgear is the time it now has. The company enjoys an 18-month period to get its future routers certified, meaning that any model approved during this time can continue to be sold after the exemption expires.

      While this provides a strategic benefit, it does not equate to permanent approval.

      A key area of uncertainty persists. The FCC has not disclosed the criteria it used to approve Netgear, which complicates the understanding of how other brands might achieve similar exceptions.

      Competitors face greater challenges

      The rest of the market remains vulnerable. TP-Link is the most notable unresolved case, while Asus and Amazon’s Eero can currently continue selling existing models. Additionally, the FCC has imposed a deadline of March 1, 2027, for software updates on foreign-made consumer routers, intensifying pressures beyond new product launches.

      Netgear also has a clearer narrative to share. The company notes in its FAQ that it manufactures consumer routers in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, and has ceased procuring internet-connected components from manufacturers in China or Chinese-controlled firms.

      What to monitor next

      The key question is whether this situation will become a trend or remain a singular occurrence. Officials are considering various factors, including company leadership, ties to foreign ownership, and intentions to shift manufacturing to the US. Adtran has also gained conditional approval, but Netgear stands as the first retail consumer router brand to achieve this.

      At present, Netgear appears to be in a stronger position than most to continue launching and supporting routers in the US through 2027, while its competitors are still attempting to decipher a regulatory framework that the FCC has not fully articulated.