Netgear is the first clear exception to the FCC’s ban on foreign-made routers, giving the company leeway to introduce new consumer routers in the U.S. even though the hardware is made abroad. The policy has already begun to cloud the outlook for several router brands, particularly those still waiting to hear how the FCC will handle future approvals.
The approval runs until October 1, 2027 and covers a wide range of Netgear devices, including the Nighthawk and Orbi models, as well as some cable gateways and modems. The FCC said the Defense Department reviewed Netgear’s request and concluded the products did not pose a risk to national security. However, the authority did not explain what exactly sets Netgear apart.
Netgear still doesn’t get a free pass. Each product must go through the FCC’s normal device approval process before it can be sold long-term in the United States.
The exception helps, but only for now
The value here is time. Netgear now has an 18-month window to put future routers through the usual certification path, and any model approved during this period can remain on sale after the exemption period ends.
Although this gives the company a real advantage, it is far from a permanent blanket approval.
There is still an important blind spot. The FCC has not explained the standard it used to clear Netgear, making it more difficult to assess the extent to which other brands might qualify for the same treatment.
Rivals face a tougher road ahead
However, the rest of the market is still at risk. TP-Link is the largest unsolved case, while Asus and Amazon’s Eero can still sell existing router models in the US for the time being. At the same time, the FCC has set a March 1, 2027 deadline for software updates on foreign-made consumer routers, increasing pressure beyond just new launches.
Netgear also has a clearer story to tell. The FAQ says the company makes consumer routers in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand and no longer sources internet-enabled components from manufacturers in China or from Chinese-controlled companies.
What to watch next
The next question is whether this will become a pattern or remain an isolated case. Officials are weighing factors such as corporate governance, foreign ownership relationships and plans to move production to the United States. Adtran has also received conditional approval, but Netgear is the first retail router brand to receive this.
For now, Netgear seems better positioned than most to continue launching and supporting routers in the US through 2027, while rival brands are still trying to read a set of rules that the FCC hasn’t fully laid out.
