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Asus's new flagship router, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro, uses a Broadcom BCM6718 chip with a quad-core 2.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and four wireless bands including two 6GHz channels. Testing showed speeds up to 3Gbps at close range and 350Mbps at long distance, outperforming Asus's existing Wi-Fi 7 flagship, with a fanless thermal design and extensive wired port options including dual 10Gbps connections.
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology sent letters dated October 15, 2026 alleging TP-Link submitted false or incorrect information in equipment authorization applications for four router models, including high-end Archer units. Three of the four routers reportedly exceeded allowed power usage limits, adding a new obstacle to TP-Link's push to sell Wi-Fi 8 products in the US. TP-Link responded that routine FCC spot checks are standard industry practice and said it supports the agency's oversight role.
Tom's Hardware Premium published its weekly roundup covering TP-Link's efforts to satisfy US regulators amid scrutiny over its China ties, including a letter of intent with Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi and nearly $1 billion pledged toward US R&D and manufacturing. The roundup also details testing of Nvidia's new RTX Spark-based Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra for gaming performance, plus an examination of whether costly audiophile-grade headsets are worth it for gamers.
TP-Link told The Verge its plan to invest nearly $1 billion in US-based router production, including a letter of intent with contract manufacturer Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Corinth, Mississippi, depends on the FCC granting a conditional approval waiver tied to an ongoing review of the company. TP-Link corporate affairs officer Steve Kovsky said production could start as early as next year and may include full manufacturing steps like surface-mount technology and plastic injection molding, not just assembly.
TP-Link announced a Letter of Intent with US manufacturer Keytronic to assemble its Wi-Fi 8 routers in Corinth, Mississippi, pending US regulatory approval, with assembly potentially starting as early as 2027. The move comes as TP-Link seeks FCC clearance to sell its newest routers in the US, since the agency bars consumer routers made wholly or partly abroad. TP-Link currently assembles routers in Vietnam using mostly Chinese-made components, and its earlier products remain on sale under previous approvals.
TP-Link has signed a letter of intent with manufacturer Key Tronic to assemble its routers at a Mississippi facility, with production potentially starting in early 2027 pending regulatory approval. Wi-Fi 8 routers are expected to be among the first products built there, though TP-Link says many components will still be sourced from outside the US.
GFiber, Qualcomm and Gemtek have announced a Wi-Fi 8 Premium Gateway for GFiber's 20 Gig fiber customers, using Qualcomm's Dragonwing NPro A8 Elite Platform, which combines a penta-core CPU and an NPU. Gemtek will manufacture the device, and GFiber says current 20 Gig subscribers using Actiontec Wi-Fi 7 gateways will be upgraded once certification is complete. The move follows TP-Link's recent preorder announcement for its own Wi-Fi 8 router, even though the IEEE 802.11bn standard hasn't been finalized.
TP-Link has opened preorders for its Archer 8 Ultra, the company's first Wi-Fi 8 router, in the UK, Germany, Australia and other markets. The US is not included, as TP-Link lacks FCC Conditional Approval needed to sell new wireless hardware there, unlike rivals Netgear, Asus and Amazon. Existing FCC-certified TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 products can still be sold in the US, but new Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 8 devices cannot.
Asus has received an FCC exemption dated September 9th from the new US ban on foreign-made consumer routers, allowing it to sell its upcoming Wi-Fi 8 routers domestically. Under the rules, manufacturers must submit a 'detailed, time-bound plan' to build or expand US manufacturing to qualify, and Asus says it has submitted such a plan, but it has repeatedly declined to confirm whether that plan involves actually manufacturing routers in the United States.
The FCC has issued a conditional approval covering Asus's entire wireless networking lineup, including its RT, ROG, TUF Gaming, ExpertWiFi and ZenWiFi router series, along with mesh systems, repeaters, access points and 5G MiFi devices. The approval, tied to a national security review by the Department of War, is valid for 18 months from issuance.
TP-Link unveiled its first consumer Wi-Fi 8 router, the Archer 8 Ultra BN19000, at IFA 2026, with pre-orders opening September 30. The tri-band router promises 19Gbps aggregate speeds, 18 antennas, and coverage for a 3,600-square-foot home, alongside a mesh sibling called Deco 8 Ultra rated up to 22Gbps for larger properties. TP-Link plans additional Wi-Fi 8 models in early-to-mid 2027, but has not confirmed whether any of these devices will reach the US market.