The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Netgear conditional approval to import routers, modems, and gateways into the U.S. through October 2027, exempting the company from a broader ban on foreign-made networking equipment. The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of cybersecurity risks posed by certain manufacturers.
Analysts note the decision appears inconsistent with the FCC’s November 2022 prohibition on new authorizations for equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese telecom providers. “This creates a puzzling exception to what was supposed to be a blanket national security measure,” said a technology policy researcher speaking on background.
FCC officials declined to specify why Netgear received special consideration, though sources familiar with the matter suggest the company demonstrated sufficient supply chain controls. Netgear’s routers are assembled in Vietnam using components from multiple countries.
The conditional approval requires quarterly compliance reporting and limits Netgear to consumer-grade devices. Industry watchers predict this may prompt other manufacturers to seek similar exemptions, potentially undermining the ban’s effectiveness.