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Netgear can now sell new wireless routers in the US but nobody knows why [U]

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Why This Matters

The FCC's recent approval allowing Netgear to sell new wireless routers in the US highlights ongoing uncertainties around national security concerns and the regulation of foreign-made technology. This development could influence future policies and market dynamics for consumer networking devices, emphasizing the importance of transparency and security in tech supply chains.

Key Takeaways

Last month saw a surprise ban on almost every new wireless router intended for use in US homes. The FCC ruling described all foreign-made routers as a national security risk.

The FCC offered a pathway to approval, and today Netgear has received that – but nobody knows why. Not even Netgear itself was able to offer an explanation …

The wireless router ban

The ban was introduced late last month.

Almost every new wireless router for use in US homes is now banned from sale within the country under a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling. The FCC says that all routers made outside the US “pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons.”

Router manufacturers were told they could apply for an exemption by proving that their devices are safe, but it was indicated that switching to US manufacturing would be a key requirement of doing so.

Netgear now exempted

The FCC website has been updated to show that Netgear has been granted conditional approvals for a wide range of its products.

Netgear, Inc.’s Nighthawk consumer mesh, mobile and standalone routers (R, RAX, RAXE, RS, MK, MR, M and MH series), Orbi consumer mesh, mobile and standalone routers (RBK, RBE, RBR, RBRE, LBR, LBK and CBK series), cable gateways (CAX series) and cable modems (CM series)

Netgear told us.

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