Router Ban

You may have seen recent news about the federal government placing new restrictions on the sale of certain home Internet routers coming from foreign countries. While this is an important security change, for most people, nothing about your day-to-day Internet use will change. This update does not affect routers already in your home or business, and there is no recall or requirement to replace the equipment you are currently using.

Your router, of course, plays an important role in connecting your phones, computers, TVs, and other devices to the Internet. While it may not be something most people think about every day, it remains an important part of keeping your home network running smoothly and securely.

New Routers

In general, new electronic devices must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before they can be sold in the United States. The FCC also maintains a “Covered List” that identifies communications equipment that federal authorities have determined may pose national security concerns. Under the latest change, consumer-grade routers produced in a foreign country have been added to that list. Because of this, new router models in this category may be subject to additional review before they can be approved for sale in the United States. These types of updates are not unusual and are part of ongoing efforts to keep communication systems reliable and secure as technology evolves.

For most people, this change will happen behind the scenes. It applies to new products entering the market, not the equipment already in your home. The FCC has also stated that previously authorized routers can continue to receive software and security updates to maintain usability. A current waiver allows this to continue through at least March 1, 2027, at which point the policy will be reviewed. That means no immediate action is needed on your part, and your current devices will continue to work as expected.

Blast Wi-Fi

If you use ITC’s Blast Wi-Fi service, we handle much of that technical work for you. Blast Wi-Fi includes router support, tools to help manage your home network, and assistance from our technicians with setup and Wi-Fi coverage. If you own your own router, you can continue using your current setup as normal and simply keep these updated requirements in mind whenever you decide to replace equipment.

The main takeaway is simple: this federal change is focused on new router approvals, not the equipment already in your home. Whether you lease your router through ITC or manage your own equipment, your current devices will continue to work as expected, and no immediate action is needed.

If you have any questions about your ITC router, please call ITC at 1.800.417.8667.