TL;DR
- The FCC has begun granting conditional approval to some Wi-Fi routers, allowing them to launch in the US market without posing a security risk.
- Netgear is one of the first to receive this approval, with its routers cleared for sale in the US until at least next year.
- The broader policy is not changing, meaning new Wi-Fi routers launching in the US must pass a national security review before entering the market.
In March 2026, the FCC announced that all new foreign-made Wi-Fi routers would be blocked from being approved for launch in the US market unless they pass strict government scrutiny. Now, the regulatory body is making it easier for some companies to take broader action by giving its first “conditional approval” to select routers.
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The first batch of approved Wi-Fi routers include several Nighthawk and Orbi models from Netgear, as well as service-grade routers from Adtran.
According to the FCC’s Bureau of Public Safety and Homeland Security, These routers have been reviewed and do not pose unacceptable risks to users, meaning they are exempt from restrictions.
Netgear welcomed the announcement, saying it is now the first retail router brand to receive this approval.
“This is consistent with our security-first approach, and we believe the steps the FCC is taking will help ensure the security of your digital front door and home networking products,” Netgear said in its article. Announcement.
“We have been designated by the U.S. government as a trusted provider of consumer routers to Americans, and we have no reason to believe that will change. The industry as a whole is in the early stages of understanding and understanding these regulatory changes and their impact, and we will share updates as new information becomes available,” Netgear said in its FAQ Section.
While Netgear appears to have clarified, the broader policy has not changed. The US is not withdrawing the crackdown on routers, and new router models will need to receive this conditional approval to enter the US market. Existing routers and previously approved models are still unaffected.
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