Buying a router? A new US ban just shrank your choices - here's why

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has enacted a sweeping ban that prohibits the sale of all new consumer routers manufactured outside the United States. Citing a national security review, the agency added foreign-made routers to its "Covered List," deeming them an unacceptable risk to US infrastructure. This move aligns with a 2025 national security strategy emphasizing independence from foreign powers for critical components. While the FCC didn't name specific brands, the policy directly impacts the vast majority of popular routers on the market, including those from TP-Link, Linksys, and Asus.

For consumers, the immediate impact is a dramatic reduction in future choice. The ban does not affect routers currently in use or already-approved models sitting on store shelves; those can continue to be sold. However, the critical change is that foreign companies can no longer obtain FCC authorization for any new router models. This means the pipeline for innovative, affordable Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, and future networking tech from these dominant brands is effectively cut off for the US market. Companies must now seek conditional approval, shift manufacturing, or exit the US market entirely, mirroring actions taken by drone maker DJI. The long-term effect will be a router landscape dominated by a smaller pool of domestically produced or approved devices, potentially at higher prices.