Trending Now - FCC Approves Netgear's Router Importation Through 2027

WHO:

Engadget - Netgear CEO CJ Prober stated, "We're pleased to share that Netgear is the first retail consumer router company to receive conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a trusted consumer router company."

Engadget - Netgear, a US-founded and headquartered company, led by CEO CJ Prober.

Techmeme - Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

WHAT:

Engadget - Netgear's conditional approval allows the company to continue to offer software updates to its Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers, and it can presumably release and sell new models in the future.

Engadget - The FCC's expansion of the Covered List to include all foreign-made routers occurred in March 2026, preventing companies that manufacture routers outside of the US from introducing new foreign-made models and pushing certain software updates to existing models after March 1, 2027.

Engadget - The FCC's conditional approval allows Netgear to continue to offer software updates to its Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers.

Engadget - The FCC granted Netgear conditional approval that exempts it from a previous ban on foreign-made networking routers.

Engadget - The approval gives Netgear a de facto monopoly on selling and servicing new consumer routers in the US.

Techmeme - The FCC's conditional approval allows Netgear to import future consumer routers, cable modems, and cable gateways into the US through October 1, 2027.

Engadget - Netgear's Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers are covered by the approval.

WHERE:

Engadget - United States.

WHEN:

Engadget - The FCC's decision to expand the Covered List occurred in March 2026.

Engadget - The conditional approval is valid until October 1, 2027.

Engadget - The ban on foreign-made routers prevents new models from being introduced and certain software updates after March 1, 2027.

WHY:

Engadget - The FCC's expansion of the Covered List to include all foreign-made routers was due to national security concerns.

Engadget - The FCC expanded the Covered List to include all foreign-made routers due to national security concerns.

Engadget - Netgear's conditional approval requires the company to offer a plan to bring some or all of its manufacturing to the US.

HOW:

Engadget - Part of the FCC's requirements for conditional approval includes the company offering a plan to bring some or all of its manufacturing to the US.

Engadget - Conditional approval is the method by which companies can be removed from the FCC's Covered List.

(UPDATED April 15, 2026 19:20 UTC)

Netgear has received conditional approval from the FCC, allowing the company to continue providing software updates for its Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers, and potentially to release new models in the future. This approval comes after the FCC expanded its Covered List in March 20th26, which now includes all foreign-made routers, restricting companies from introducing new foreign models or pushing software updates after March 1stst, 2027. As part of the conditions for this approval, Netgear is required to present a plan to shift some or all of its manufacturing to the United States.

(UPDATED April 15, 2026 09:22 UTC)

Netgear has made headlines by becoming the first retail consumer router company to receive conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission, according to CEO CJ Prober. This approval allows Netgear to continue providing software updates for its popular Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers, following the FCC's expansion of the Covered List to address national security concerns regarding foreign-made routers. As part of the requirements for this conditional approval, Netgear must also present a plan to shift some or all of its manufacturing to the United States.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 23:18 UTC)

The Federal Communications Commission has granted Netgear conditional approval that exempts the company from a previous ban on foreign-made networking routers, effectively giving it a de facto monopoly on selling and servicing new consumer routers in the United States. This approval allows Netgear to import future consumer routers, cable modems, and cable gateways into the U.S. through October 1stst, 2027, and includes its popular Nighthawk and Orbi mesh routers. As part of this conditional approval, Netgear must present a plan to shift some or all of its manufacturing to the U.S. due to national security concerns.