You can keep using your existing router.

The US claims foreign-made routers pose national security risks.

In December, the Federal Communications Commission banned all future drones made in foreign countries from being imported into the United States, unless or until their maker gets an exemption. Now, the FCC has done the exact same for consumer networking gear, citing “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”

If you already have a Wi-Fi or wired router, you can keep on using it — and companies that have already gotten FCC radio authorization for a specific foreign-made product can continue to import that product.

But since the vast majority — if not all — consumer routers are manufactured outside the United States, the vast majority of future consumer routers are now banned. By adding all foreign-made consumer routers to its Covered List, the FCC is saying it will no longer authorize their radios, which de facto bans new devices from import into the country.

  • IamSparticles@lemmy.zipEnglish
    6·
    20 hours ago

    You don’t have to use their hardware. In fact, you can save the monthly equipment rental fee by purchasing and setting up your own. I’ve been using Xfinity with my own cable modem and router for years.

    • TwitchingCheese@lemmy.world
      11·
      11 hours ago

      Except with their bandwidth fees I would be paying more money to use my own equipment than to rent theirs (which includes unlimited bandwidth). Not to mention there are very few modems they allow to use DOCSIS High Split for increased upload speeds even if they’re capable of it.

      Put it in bridge mode, open it up and disconnect the wifi antennas and use your own gear.

      • IamSparticles@lemmy.zipEnglish
        1·
        10 hours ago

        Bandwidth fees? No idea what you’re talking about. I pay a flat monthly price for 1Gbit down, 300Mbit up with no data caps or throttling, and I definitely get the speeds I’m paying for. I have a relatively cheap Motorola modem. I think I paid about $120 for it 6 years ago and haven’t had a spot of trouble. I never reboot it. The only time I have lost connection it turned out to be a failed signal attenuator in a junction box down the street.