FCC Grants Netgear Exemption for Foreign Routers to 2027

The Federal Communications Commission has granted Netgear the first conditional exemption from its ban on new foreign-made consumer routers, allowing the company to continue selling and supporting a range of WiFi models manufactured overseas through October 1, 2027. The decision, announced this week, marks an initial exception to the agency's March policy aimed at addressing national security risks posed by vulnerable networking equipment.

The exemption follows a review by the Department of Defense, which determined that Netgear's products do not pose unacceptable risks to U.S. national security, according to FCC officials. It covers Netgear's popular Nighthawk series, including R, RAX, RAXE, RS, MK, MR, M, and MH models; Orbi mesh systems such as RBK, RBE, RBR, RBRE, LBR, LBK, and CBK lines; as well as CAX cable gateways and CM modems. However, each new device must still undergo the FCC's standard equipment authorization process to remain available for sale beyond the exemption period. This provides Netgear an 18-month window to certify future products, potentially securing permanent approvals.

Netgear, headquartered in San Jose, California, manufactures its consumer routers in...