The FCC’s recent mandate limiting the sale of all “foreign-made” consumer routers has sent ripples throughout the consumer electronics space. The move has so far sparked confusion among consumers and cautious optimism among networking leaders in the professional install channel, who view the FCC ban as largely beneficial to the health of the ecosystem, setting its own minimum standard for cybersecurity protection in a consumer-grade router.
The situation is continuously evolving, with many affected companies expected to reach out to the FCC for exemptions and certifications in order to continue selling new and updating existing routers in the U.S. In the interim, leaders within the custom integration (CI) channel have said that the move could potentially disrupt existing router supplies and demands a more proactive approach from integrators in both sourcing product and safeguarding customers against the cyber threats addressed in the ban.
This article compiles what is known so far, as well as actionable insights from industry leaders that integrators can apply to their networking practices today to prevent disruption and provide expertise and support to clients in a moment of broader uncertainty.
What We Know So Far About the FCC Router Ban
The FCC router ban affects the sale of all consumer-grade routers deemed to have been made overseas. The ban cited national security concerns at the core, with cases such as Volt, Flax and Salt Typhoon having gained recent national attention.
Existing routers that have been bought and installed are not subject to the ban. However, future updates provided to existing routers under the covered (ban) list will be dependent on the manufacturer acquiring exemption to do so.
Routers Suspected of Being on the ‘Ban List’
Under the definition of “foreign-made” given, it is currently assumed that virtually all major consumer-grade router manufacturers will be affected. This includes devices from:
- TP-Link,
- Asus,
- Eero,
- Google Nest,
- Linksys,
- And even US-headquartered companies like Netgear and Ubiquiti due to their manufacturing taking place in Asia.
Industry Opinion Leans Towards Cautious Optimism
CE Pro reached out to networking manufacturers and thought leaders within the channel for their insight and outlook, regardless of whether their business is expected to be impacted by the mandate.
Collected are their statements, which overall reflect a cautious optimism, seeing the move as largely beneficial for the professional channel in setting a clear standard for devices moving forward while shining a spotlight on network security within the home.
WhyReboot: FCC ‘Shines a Spotlight’ on Consumer Device Vulnerabilities
Bjørn Jensen, CEO and Founder of WhyReboot, an enterprise networking company, saw the mandate as drawing greater attention to the security strengths of enterprise-grade networks.
“[The FCC mandate] could affect us, if the government decides to expand the ruling to commercial equipment, but the products [WhyReboot] uses are also purchased by the [federal government], so I highly doubt we’ll have issues in the long run,” commented Bjørn Jensen, CEO and Founder of WhyReboot.
“If anything, this could boost [enterprise networking] sales because it shines a spotlight on the security risks of using consumer grade hardware, deployed all over the country.”
Jensen also saw a high likelihood of major networking players getting an exemption considering the ruling.
“I think Netgear will most likely get an exemption,” he added. “Ubiquiti won’t be affected as they’re based in the US, though not sure if they’ll have to pivot some of their manufacturing which is partly made in China.”
TP-Link: New Requirement Will ‘Set a Bar for Entire Industry’
TP-Link, who up until the final mandate had been placed under public scrutiny saw the mandate as a “bar” being set for the entire networking industry.
“Because nearly every manufacturer in [the networking] sector produces hardware abroad or relies on a global supply chain, this new requirement will set a bar for the entire industry,” a spokesperson for the company said to CE Pro.
“Placing all manufacturers and their supply chains under the same scrutiny is a positive step in the direction of making the router industry more secure.”
Netgear: FCC Ruling a Step ‘Toward a Safer Digital Future’
A spokesperson for Netgear offered a similar outlook:
“We commend the Administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans. Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward.”
Update: As of Apr. 15, 2026, Netgear has received an exemption from the FCC router ban. This “conditional approval,” as it has been termed, will last until Oct. 1, 2027. This is not a full clearance to sell new models that have been made overseas and instead means existing models will continue to receive updates and support.
CEDIA: Move Could Freeze Product Pipelines
CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals, sent its own response subscribers via email, cautioning integrators on the supply chain disruptions the new mandate will likely cause initially.
“New product pipelines are frozen until brands receive exemption approvals,” the email outlined. “[Integrators should] expect limited new product availability and upward price pressure on current inventory as stock depletes. Members who spec Access Networks or Ruckus should note that Ruckus has R&D operations in China and Taiwan.”
Additionally, CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman noted: “The FCC has set the standard for what hardware enters our homes. Professional technology integrators set the standard for how that hardware protects our families. In an era of sophisticated state-sponsored cyber threats, a professionally installed network is no longer a luxury — it is a baseline requirement for a secure home.”
Note: On March 26, 2026, as part of CEDIA’s Day on Capitol Hill, the association sat down with lawmakers to discuss various legislation currently in consideration, including the ROUTERS Act, which, if enacted, will direct the Department of Commerce to assess the national security and cybersecurity risks tied to consumer routers, modems and similar devices in the channel.
ADI: Integrators Should Keep Working with Trusted Partners
While ADI saw no direct impact on its exclusive and third-party networking brands, it did view the moment as a reminder for integrators to stay informed, both of policy and of how their partners are handling security in their products.
“From ADI’s perspective, we don’t see an immediate impact on our business or on the integrators we serve, based on our current understanding of the FCC’s action,” said ADI Chief Merchandising Officer, Marco Cardazzi, speaking on behalf of the company.
“More broadly, situations like this highlight the importance of staying informed as regulatory requirements evolve. We will continue to monitor developments and support our customers in navigating any changes and identifying solutions that meet their needs…
“Our advice to integrators is to continue working with manufacturers and distributors they trust.”
Additional Considerations
While the major cybersecurity focus is currently being placed on network routers, they are not the sole vectors of cyberattacks in U.S. homes. Smart TVs, plugs, surveillance cameras and even entire security systems have historically been used to perpetrate massive cyberattack campaigns as part of botnets.
Research conducted as recently as 2025, reported on by CE Pro, found that the average home faces nearly 30 cyberattacks every 24 hours. Of those attacks, streaming devices and TVs, not routers, have been identified as some of the top targets.
What’s Going on with the Cyber Trust Mark?
First piloted in July 2023 during the Biden Administration, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a program designed to provide a national standard for cybersecurity in consumer devices. The mark is meant to function like the government’s Energy Star rating, providing a stamp of approval regarding an IoT device’s security.
In recent times, the program has seemingly stalled with one of the leading companies, UL LLC, having withdrawn of its own accord from the program following an investigation by the current administration over concerns of UL’s China-based laboratories.
UL’s withdrawal occurred in January of this year, with the FCC beginning the search for a new Lead Administrator near the beginning of February. However, experts are currently uncertain as to the future of the program given the de-priotization of many other cybersecurity initiatives by the current administration.
Key Takeaways
While many view the FCC router ban as a step in the right direction for establishing more stringent cybersecurity standards within a specific category of devices, there still remains a massive gap in policy broadly.
The CEDIA comment resonates the most here, with the role of professionals as gatekeepers of technology being ever more important in lieu of any overarching government standard. Routers may be the focus in current discussions, but the reality is that any device that can connect to the wider internet needs the same level of consideration.
What Integrators Can Do Now
Past discussions on the topics reinforce the need for a security-first approach when sourcing and installing devices beyond the network stack. Relying on the default settings or a manufacturer’s promises is no longer sufficient.
Smart home cybersecurity best practices do exist, with one guidebook being offered by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). However, integrators can engage in general device hygiene by:
- Maintaining a complete inventory of every IP-connected device on a client’s network.
- Isolating “vulnerable” devices on a separate VLAN or guest network to prevent them from accessing sensitive personal devices like laptops and phones.
- Working with clients to ensure a process is in place for applying firmware updates as soon as they become available, especially for high-risk devices.
- Disabling unnecessary features, changing all default passwords, and educating clients on the data collection practices of the devices being installed in their homes.
FCC Router Ban FAQs
Can my client still use the router I installed if it’s on the FCC Covered List?
Yes. Routers installed prior to being added to the FCC Covered List can still be used, though future updates will be dependent on the manufacturer receiving an exemption, which could compromise device security in the future.
Which routers are on the Covered List?
The list of routers and other devices currently on the FCC Covered List can be found on the FCC’s website.
Which routers have been made exempt to the recent FCC ruling?
As of right now, only Netgear and Adtran routers have received an exemption, though this only allows for the release of updates to existing models and not the sale of new ones. The FCC maintains a list of all devices that have been given conditional approvals on its website.
Should I replace my client’s router if it has been added to the covered list?
At this moment, integrators concerned about whether the recent policy may impact on the security of their systems should maintain open dialogue with clients. Updates are ongoing and issues currently presenting themselves may resolve in the future as more companies reach out to request exemptions.
Where can I keep up to date on any updates to the FCC’s ruling?
Updates to the FCC’s covered list, as well as any devices or manufacturers who have received conditional approval for sale in the U.S. can be found on the FCC’s website. For coverage and news stories related to this and other topics, CE Pro remains a consistent source of information for the custom integration industry and professional install channels.
Can I still buy routers on the Covered List?
Routers on the Covered List can still be purchased until existing supply runs out, during which shipping times and costs may rise.
Could this make home network security worse?
A primary concern among experts lies in the lack of available router alternatives at the consumer level that fit the current FCC criteria. Experts believe that a unconditional ban could lead to homeowners holding onto older, less-secure devices longer, including those that may no longer be receiving updates or support.
Are enterprise/business router models affected?
No, the current router ban applies only to consumer-grade routers.
