FCC's Foreign-Made Router Ban Expands To Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot Devices

Source: Slashdot

Background

The FCC has expanded its foreign‑made router ban to also cover consumer Wi‑Fi hotspots and LTE/5G home‑internet devices. Existing products and phones with hotspot features are not affected.

What’s Changed

• The FCC updated its FAQ to clarify which consumer‑grade routers are subject to the restrictions.
• “Consumer‑grade portable or mobile MiFi Wi‑Fi or hotspot devices for residential use” are now included in the ban.

Scope of the Ban

• Portable Wi‑Fi hotspots – devices that use a SIM card to connect to a cellular network rather than an Ethernet cable.
• LTE/5G CPE devices for residential use – fixed wireless access units that deliver home internet via a carrier’s cellular network.

The ban does not apply to:

• Enterprise‑grade routers.
• Mobile phones with hotspot capabilities.
• Existing router models already on the market; it only affects new models that vendors plan to sell.

Impact

• Vendors must ensure that any new consumer‑grade portable Wi‑Fi or LTE/5G home‑internet devices sold in the United States are not sourced from the prohibited foreign manufacturers.
• Consumers purchasing new hotspot or CPE devices should expect compliance with the FCC’s restrictions.

The FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the changes.