Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- The FCC has granted AT&T a one-year waiver to allow limited hardware modifications to already certified routers.
- The waiver allows AT&T to change the substrate material in the chipset and swap out memory modules.
- Carriers warn that previously certified routers could disappear from production lines
Back in March, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implemented a ban on all foreign-made routers, ruling that products associated with adversarial governments pose an “unacceptable risk” to US infrastructure and citizens. While the ban is designed to prevent new foreign-made models from entering the country, previously approved hardware is believed to be unaffected. Despite this, it looks like the ongoing RAM shortage is causing some unexpected complications, at least for AT&T. However, ISPs will now have a year to get everything right.
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AT&T has requested the FCC to allow changes to already certified hardware
Last week, AT&T introduced a filing with the fccAlerting the regulatory body to an issue that does not fall within the scope of the current exemption. The issue is related to the current global shortage of materials, which is causing vendors to swap out parts. In the filing, AT&T says:
Two urgent supply chain issues have emerged that require permissible hardware changes that are not covered by existing exemptions and require prompt action by the OET (FCC Office of Engineering and Technology): global shortages in essential substrate materials and memory modules.
AT&T says a manufacturer can no longer source the chipset it previously used to produce certified routers. The company claims that “a special type of substrate used in the chipsets of routers is being phased out.” As a result, they need to find substitute new substrate materials to continue production. Meanwhile, the RAM shortage has been its own headache, requiring suppliers to “adapt and find new sources of memory components”.
AT&T argues that without the flexibility to make limited changes, its approved routers could disappear from production lines. If this occurs, it could cause outages of customer premises equipment such as residential gateways.
FCC gives AT&T leeway to make limited changes
The FCC now has granted AT&T has a one-year grace period that allows it to make limited hardware modifications on its previously certified routers. AT&T will now be allowed to make changes to substitute substrate material and memory modules in its residential gateways. However, under this exemption, alterations cannot improve the performance of the device, alter core functionality, be used to market the product, or swap out a US-made part for a non-US-made part.
According to the document, the exemption will remain in effect till May 2027.
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