GoKawiilFCC grants Asus routers exemption from foreign-router ban through 2028
The FCC has given Asus 'conditional approval,' clearing its routers of security concerns raised by the Defense Department and exempting them from the agency's ban on foreign-made routers until March 2028. The exemption spans multiple Asus product lines including RT, ROG, TUF Gaming and ZenWiFi Mesh series. TP-Link, despite meeting with FCC officials and arguing it operates as a US company based in California, has not yet secured similar approval.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The ruling shows how the FCC is using cybersecurity concerns tied to state-linked hacking campaigns to reshape which router makers can sell freely in the US, pressuring firms to localize manufacturing. Asus' timely exemption also positions it to launch its new Wi-Fi 8 lineup in the US without regulatory delay, while TP-Link's continued limbo could hurt its market share if the uncertainty persists.
- Asus routers are now exempt from the US foreign-made router ban until March 6, 2028.
- The FCC's decision follows security concerns linked to Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon hacking campaigns.
- TP-Link remains without an exemption despite claiming US corporate headquarters status.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 Gaming Router — Asus routers just got the FCC's conditional green light, so it's a safe bet for an upgrade. The ROG Rapture line is built for low-latency gaming with multi-band Wi-Fi and Asus' AiProtection security features, plus the mesh-friendly AiMesh system if you want to blanket a whole house.
See ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 Gaming Router on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Rob Thubron, 2026-09-11
Published there as: “Asus routers escape the US foreign-made router ban, but TP-Link is still waiting”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.