The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted AT&T, the third-largest telecom service provider in the United States, a one-year waiver to clear routers that the company uses but are subject to a ban on foreign-made devices announced earlier this year. This waiver allows AT&T's suppliers to make minor hardware changes to already-approved foreign-made Wi-Fi routers.
FCC's Decision on the Waiver Request
In its order, the FCC stated: "By this Order we partially grant the request of AT&T Services, Inc. (AT&T) for a waiver of Sections 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b) of the Commission's rules to permit AT&T’s suppliers to make two types of necessary hardware Class I and Class II permissive changes to consumer-grade routers, which are now on the Covered List, for a period of one year. We find that grant of the waiver will serve the public interest by preventing potential disruptions in the availability of broadband for AT&T’s customers."
Reasons Behind the Waiver
The FCC elaborated on its rationale: "We find that partially granting AT&T's request for waiver for AT&T’s suppliers meets the waiver standard because of the specific facts in the waiver request and ex parte letter. These include the unavoidable supply-chain shortages and the public interest need to prevent disruptions in the availability of broadband for AT&T’s customers. Moreover, this waiver does not undermine the national security and public safety purpose of the rule, given that, among other facts, the hardware changes will not improve performance or capability or alter the functionality of the previously-authorized device; will not be used to market the device as a distinct model; and will not involve swapping a U.S.-produced component for a foreign produced component."
The waiver is granted for a period of one year, until May 15, 2027, for the limited purpose of AT&T’s suppliers making hardware Class I and Class II permissive changes to substitute substrate materials and memory modules in its previously certified routers that are now on the Covered List, so long as they are otherwise consistent with the regulations in 47 CFR § 2.1043. The prohibitions in 47 CFR §§ 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b) remain in effect for all other hardware modifications to covered equipment.
Background on the FCC Ban on Foreign-Made Routers
In an order passed on March 23, the FCC announced a sweeping ban on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers. The agency stated that companies could continue issuing security patches only to previously approved models until March 1, 2027. On March 23, 2026, the FCC added to the Covered List "Routers produced in a foreign country, except routers which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or DHS" (Covered Routers). Applying 47 CFR §§ 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b) to Covered Routers had the effect of prohibiting all permissive changes, even software and firmware security updates that would otherwise mitigate harm to U.S. consumers. As a result, OET announced a waiver of those prohibitions, permitting Covered Routers to continue to receive software and firmware Class I permissive changes that mitigate harm to U.S. consumers until January 1, 2027. On May 8, 2026, OET extended that waiver through January 1, 2029, and expanded it to include software and firmware Class II permissive changes that mitigate harm to U.S. consumers. Hardware or other permissive changes to Covered Routers are not included in these waivers and are still prohibited under the Commission’s rules.
This article was written by the TOI Tech Desk, a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. The TOI Tech Desk covers a wide spectrum including gadget launches, reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports, and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe.
