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<\/div> Follow ZDNET: <\/em>Add us as a favorite source<\/span><\/a><\/span> On Google.<\/em><\/p>\n Buying a new router in the US has become a difficult situation due to new government restrictions on foreign-made routers. Now, a major manufacturer has been approved for sale in the US, at least for the time being.<\/p>\n Netgear is the first router company to be exempted from the FCC ban, which was announced late last month. With this exemption taking effect, the company has now received conditional approval to sell its routers in the US until at least October 1, 2027. The approval includes new consumer router models including Netgear Nighthawk and Orbi products. <\/p>\n Too: <\/strong>Your Router May Be Vulnerable to Russian Hackers, FBI Warns: 5 Steps to Take Right Now<\/strong><\/p>\n “We are pleased to announce that Netgear is the first retail consumer router company to receive conditional clearance from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a Trusted Consumer Router Company,” Netgear said. a letter sent to customers<\/a>. \u201cWe hope this accreditation will give you peace of mind \u2013 knowing that the network powering your home meets rigorous standards.\u201d <\/p>\n ban yourself<\/a> Prohibits new foreign-made routers from being imported or sold in the US until they are approved. Existing models that are already sold in stores or that you have in your home are unaffected. This is because such routers have already received FCC approval. <\/p>\n The FCC took this step by taking the following steps Review by interagency body convened by the White House<\/a>Which determined that routers produced in foreign countries “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of American persons.” Given that most routers sold in the US are made in other countries, this “body” expressed concern if such routers could be compromised. <\/p>\n Too: <\/strong>A $30 router with a built-in VPN? I had to try it – and I had no regrets<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to restricting the sale of new routers, the ban also calls into question the ability of existing routers to receive software and firmware updates. One fcc exemption<\/a> Allows all existing routers to continue receiving these updates, but only until March 1, 2027. The agency has not yet been able to clarify what might happen after that date. In its OWN FAQ<\/a>Netgear said that with its approval status, the company is not subject to this time limit for software updates. <\/p>\n In addition to affecting routers, the overall ban includes telecommunications equipment and services in general. This ban is clearly more targeted at certain countries. The FCC’s list of banned items includes companies like Huawei, ZTE, China Telecom and China Mobile. <\/p>\n All of those companies have their roots in China, which has long been a target of the US government over fears that their products spy on American citizens on behalf of Beijing. The FCC has also banned future router models from Asus and TP-Link, both of which also operate in China. <\/p>\n Netgear manufactures its consumer routers in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, which the US considers allies. In These are frequently asked questions<\/a>Netgear made sure to point out that “We no longer purchase Internet-connected components from manufacturers in China, or from entities owned or controlled by China (or any other country that is considered foreign-hostile).” <\/p>\n Too: <\/strong>Traditional Wi-Fi Router vs. Mesh: How to Decide Between 2 Popular Networking Options<\/strong><\/p>\n Some routers have also come under criticism for being vulnerable to hackers, who could infect them with malware or trick them into joining botnets. Typically, these are older models that have reached end of life and are no longer supported or do not receive firmware updates. <\/p>\n Although Netgear has received approval to sell new routers in the US, there are still questions over the status of other manufacturers. This could give Netgear a virtual monopoly in the US, at least until other companies are exempted from the ban. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n ZDNET Highlights <\/h3>\n
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Exemption till 2027<\/h2>\n
ban restrictions<\/h2>\n
America’s allies<\/h2>\n