Netgear Scores the First Exemption From the FCC's Foreign-Made Router Ban

Less than a month after announcing a controversial ban on foreign-made routers, the FCC says it will exempt Netgear, allowing it to sell new Wi-Fi routers and mesh models to consumers, even though they’re manufactured outside the US.

The Defense Department reviewed Netgear’s application for an exemption and found that its products “do not pose risks to US national security.” The FCC’s order doesn’t elaborate on why. Netgear is based in San Jose, California, although its products are made in Asia.  

(Credit: FCC)

The exemption, known as a conditional approval, lasts until Oct. 1, 2027. It covers a large range of future Wi-Fi models from Netgear, spanning the R, RAX, RAXE, RS, MK, MR, M, and MH series, the Orbi consumer mesh, mobile, and standalone routers under the RBK, RBE, RBR, RBRE, LBR, LBK, and CBK series, as well as cable gateways and cable modems under the CAX and CM series.

The exemption isn't a full green light for the future product models from Netgear. The FCC says the company still needs to go through the normal Commission-regulated equipment authorization process for each device. The Oct. 1, 2027 date effectively amounts to a deadline for Netgear to receive FCC certification for the router models; each certification is also permanent, enabling the product to be sold in the US on an ongoing basis.

This also suggests that Netgear has an 18-month period to receive FCC certifications for future products. What will happen after Oct. 2027 is less clear. Does Netgear need to apply for a conditional approval again, and will it receive it? The FCC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But published guidance indicates Netgear can apply to extend the exemption, but will need to supply “an inventory of the progress made on the US manufacturing and onshoring plans submitted for all previous covered approvals.”

But in a statement, Netgear notes that it’s the “first retail consumer router company to receive conditional approval from the FCC as a trusted consumer router company, a recognition that provides our customers added peace of mind knowing the network powering their homes meets rigorous standards.” 

The Defense Department also exempted products from another US company, Adtran, which specializes in optical fiber and enterprise networking gear. Adtran’s future Service Delivery Gateway (SDG) class routers, meant for homes and small businesses, have also received a conditional approval through Oct. 1, 2027. 

The announcement shows the US is moving relatively fast on exemptions. But the big question is whether the Trump administration will offer the same relief to other brands, such as TP-Link, which has been locked in a battle with US officials over whether it's a spying threat due to its ties to China; the company denies it.

To receive an exemption, the US is taking into account the nationality of company leadership, ties to foreign ownership, and plans to migrate manufacturing to the US.

For now, TP-Link, Asus, and Amazon’s Eero brands can continue selling their existing Wi-Fi models in the US. However, the FCC has quietly set an expiration date that’ll only allow companies to offer software updates for foreign-made consumer routers until March 1, 2027, although the Commission is signaling it’ll elaborate on the policy in the coming months.  

In the meantime, Netgear is applauding the FCC’s foreign-made router ban, which was based on the Trump administration's determination that the products risked introducing supply chain vulnerabilities that hackers and state-sponsored spies could exploit.  

“This aligns with our security-first approach, and we believe the steps the FCC are taking will help ensure the security of your digital front door and home networking products,” Netgear’s CEO CJ Prober wrote to customers. 

The exemption also offers a clear marketing and business win for Netgear. The company has published an FAQ, which also notes: “Because Netgear has achieved approval status, we are not subject to the current March 1, 2027, deadline to cease software updates.”

Netgear also tells us that "per the rulemaking, the maximum conditional approval duration is 18 months."

For now, the FAQ notes Netgear currently manufactures consumer router products “in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, nations that are considered allies by the US Government. As a precaution, we no longer procure internet-connected components from manufacturers in China, or entities owned or controlled by China (or any other country deemed to be a foreign adversary).”

The FAQ also notes: “The industry as a whole is in the very early stages of navigating and understanding these regulatory changes and their impact, and we will share updates as new information becomes available.” It further says: "Yes, all Netgear routers, current and future, will be protected as long as we maintain our conditional approval."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to note Netgear can apply to extend the exemption, but will need to provide updated details on its manufacturing migration plans to the FCC.