The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) slammed the door on foreign-made consumer routers. By adding them to the Covered List on March 23, 2026, the commission effectively blocked all new models produced outside the US from entering the country.
The ban targets unacceptable risks that foreign hardware poses to American national security. While you don’t have to toss your current router, you won’t be able to buy any new foreign-made models unless the manufacturer clears a security hurdle.
The White House led this charge. An interagency group determined that these devices serve as prime targets for state-sponsored hackers. They pointed to the Typhoon attacks specifically Salt, Volt, and Flax, where attackers used home routers to burrow into critical infrastructure.
Now, if a company wants to sell a new foreign router, it needs Conditional Approval from the Department of War (the rebranded Department of Defense) or Homeland Security. Without that green light, the FCC won’t authorize the device for sale.
| Brand | US Status (Post-March 2026) | SEA Market Presence |
| TP-Link | Needs DoW approval for new models | Dominant |
| ASUS | Needs DoW approval for new models | High (Gaming/Premium) |
| Huawei / ZTE | Fully restricted | High (ISP-issued) |
| Nokia / Ericsson | Generally exempt (European-base) | Growing (Backhaul) |
The move may also put the DICT in a spot. The Philippines is currently pushing its National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028, and the US could pressure Manila and its allies to adopt similar standards. If pressured, this ban might force our telcos to abandon cheaper Chinese options like Huawei and ZTE for more expensive, US-vetted alternatives. If not, which is likely what will happen, then this ban will not hold any significance in our region.
