The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ratified a fresh set of regulations that severely tighten the standards for importing networking gear into the United States. As reported by The Register, this directive explicitly bans the entry of brand-new consumer routers originating from overseas entities.
As clarified by the regulatory body, the scope of these restrictions extends beyond conventional home Wi-Fi routers. It also encompasses portable internet access gadgets, such as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, along with LTE and 5G-based solutions employed within the residential sphere. Consequently, any device facilitating internet connectivity via a SIM card is now embedded within this broadened catalog.
However, the FCC has delineated several carve-outs. The limitations will not apply to smartphones equipped with tethering capabilities, nor will they impact models already available on the market. The prohibition is strictly targeted at novel devices that have yet to hit retail shelves. Furthermore, enterprise-grade and specialized professional networking apparatus have been temporarily excluded from these rules.
The Commission intends to release a supplementary list detailing the nations and manufacturers whose output will remain exempt from these mandates. It is anticipated that suppliers hailing from allied partner nations will receive preferential treatment, while hardware of Chinese origin is widely expected to face a ban.
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