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US government mandates domestic production for new Wi-Fi routers

The FCC’s latest security directive forces a massive shift in the tech supply chain, effectively barring foreign-made consumer routers from the American market.

production for new Wi-Fi routers
Production for new Wi-Fi routers. (Image: GoWaves App)

In a move that caught the tech industry by storm on March, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a de facto ban on the sale of new home routers manufactured outside the United States. While the measure does not affect the use or sale of existing models already authorized by the agency, it sets a strict domestic-only requirement for all future networking hardware.

A response to “national security” threats

The crackdown follows a critical Friday determination warning that foreign-made routers are being weaponized against American citizens. According to the FCC:

  • The Threat: State-sponsored and independent cybercriminals are exploiting vulnerabilities in foreign hardware to gain unauthorized access to domestic infrastructure and private homes.
  • Case Studies: The agency specifically pointed to high-profile breaches, including the 2024 Salt Typhoon attack, as proof that the current supply chain is compromised.
  • The Directive: Securing the supply chain is now viewed as a vital defense to ensure that home technology does not serve as a “backdoor” for foreign actors.

The impact on global manufacturers

Most household names in the router market, including TP-Link and Netgear, currently rely on factories in Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This new policy creates a significant hurdle for these brands, as there are currently no known consumer-grade routers being mass-produced within U.S. borders.

This aggressive expansion of the 2021 Secure Equipment Act goes beyond previous restrictions on specific Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE, applying a broader geographical restriction to the entire product category.

The path to re-authorization

For a foreign company to continue launching new products in the U.S., they must now secure “Conditional Approval” from the Department of War (DoW) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This approval process requires:

  1. Transparency: Full disclosure of the company’s management structure.
  2. Audit: A comprehensive breakdown of their entire supply chain.
  3. Relocation: A formal and actionable plan to move their manufacturing operations to the United States.

Economic and geopolitical context

This policy is a clear escalation in the ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and Asian manufacturing hubs. By leveraging national security concerns, the government is not only aiming to harden digital defenses but also to force a “re-shoring” of critical technology manufacturing to American soil.

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