Cable lobby warns of chaos if FCC doesn't relax ban on foreign routers
Summary
The cable industry’s main lobby group, NCTA, asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow some changes in foreign-made routers that are currently banned under new rules. This request aims to avoid interruptions in broadband services caused by shortages of certain router parts like memory and substrate materials. The FCC had added most consumer routers made partly outside the U.S. to a restricted list over national security concerns.Key Facts
- The FCC banned consumer routers made at least partly outside the U.S. in March due to national security risks.
- NCTA wants a quick waiver to let suppliers replace some internal parts in already approved routers without changing how they work.
- The waiver aims to address shortages in memory chips and substrate materials needed to make routers.
- Previously, the FCC granted a similar one-year waiver to AT&T’s suppliers.
- Many broadband customers use routers provided by their internet service companies.
- The industry faces supply chain problems caused partly by rising demand from technologies like artificial intelligence.
- NCTA says the requested waiver will help avoid disruptions to internet service for millions of Americans while still keeping security rules in place.
- The FCC wants companies to move router manufacturing to the U.S., but this change takes time and large parts are still hard to get.
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