TMUG - FCC Bans New Routers? - In person meeting Apr 13 2026

In person meeting. NOTE the 6:30pm start time.

If the FCC banning consumer routers? Yes, no, ... well maybe. Or not.

There will be a presentation then discussion about the FCC's announcement banning new consumer router models from being imported into the US.

There are two levels to this conversation. First off are the technical aspects of this decision. And it is a bit sweeping. The presentation and discussion with be about these technical and practical aspects of the FCC's announcement. Starting with it seems there are NO consumer routers being produced in the US at this time.

There will be a presentation followed by a discussion about the FCC’s recent announcement banning the import of new consumer router models into the United States.

This conversation has two parts. First, we’ll focus on the technical and practical implications of this decision. It’s a broad move, and we’ll explore what it means in real-world terms—including the fact that, at present, no consumer routers appear to be manufactured in the U.S.

Second, there are political questions about why this decision was made and why now. Those topics fall outside the scope of this meeting, and we will not be addressing them during the session. And will not be allowed during the meeting. Anyone interested in that discussion is welcome to continue it informally afterward. TMUG’s focus remains on the technical side of things.

Here are some online sources if you want to read about this ahead of the meeting:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-covered-list-include-foreign-made-consumer-routers

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/trump-fcc-prohibits-import-and-sale-of-new-wi-fi-routers-made-outside-us/

https://www.theverge.com/tech/899906/fcc-router-ban-march-2026-explainer

https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/03/24/united-states-fcc-bans-import-of-all-new-foreign-made-consumer-routers

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/1s1vr5s/fcc_prohibits_approval_of_new_foreignmade/

https://www.tomshardware.com/networking/routers/fcc-bans-import-of-new-consumer-routers-not-made-in-the-us-over-security-threat-agency-says-foreign-made-devices-pose-unacceptable-risk-to-us-persons

Plus our usual Q&A / back and forth.

The meeting will be streamed on zoom.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83910518434?
Meeting ID: 839 1051 8434

A password is required to attend the Zoom session and will be emailed to those who RSVP by Sunday 5pm