To fully implement "digital sovereignty" and supply chain security, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier issued...Latest AnnouncementThe US has officially added all consumer-grade network routers manufactured outside the US to its "controlled list," deeming them an unacceptable risk to national security. The most stringent aspect of this policy is that even brands headquartered in the US (such as Netgear, Google Nest, and Eero) will be ineligible for market access in the US if their products are manufactured overseas. This extreme "de-globalization" measure will clearly force the entire network industry to reshape its production landscape.
Inclusion on the "Control List": New models are completely banned, and upgrades to older models are postponed until 2027.
According to the latest regulations from the FCC, any new network router model manufactured outside the United States will be directly included in the "controlled list" at the same level as Huawei and ZTE.
• New machine ban:Starting immediately, retailers are prohibited from listing new models manufactured overseas without approval, meaning that there may not be any new routers launched on the market in the short term before brands adjust their production lines.
• Old machine buffer:Older models already on the market or purchased by consumers can continue to be used, and the FCC allows software update support for these devices to continue until March 1, 2027, with the possibility of further extension in the future.
• Waiver with conditions attached:If a company wants to launch a new product, it must apply for conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security, and must submit a clear plan demonstrating that it is moving at least part of its production line back to the United States.
White House 2025 National Security Strategy Extension: Core Components Must Not Rely on External Forces
This radical policy stems from the White House's National Security Strategy for 2025. The strategy explicitly states: "The United States must never rely on any external force for core components needed for its defense or economy—from raw materials and parts to finished products."
Currently, almost all major global network communication brands manufacture their products overseas.
• Chinese brands:Brands such as TP-Link and Tenda will face direct bans.
• American domestic brands:These include Netgear, Amazon's Eero brand, and Google Nest. Although these companies are headquartered in the United States, their manufacturing bases are mostly located in Asia (including Taiwan, Vietnam, or China).
• Taiwan supply chain:Taiwanese contract manufacturers that previously had good relations with the United States will also be impacted unless they can quickly establish automated production lines in the United States.
Legal challenges and market chaos: Who can take over the "Made in America" orders?
Market analysts point out that this sweeping provision is highly likely to face legal challenges. Since almost no well-known consumer router brands currently manufacture in the United States, this ban will lead to depleted inventory and severe market disruption.
Furthermore, whether the manufacturing efficiency and costs in the United States can support the competitiveness of consumer-grade networking products is also a major question. If companies want to move production lines back to the United States, they will not only need huge capital expenditures, but also face the practical problem of a shortage of skilled workers.
