Bottom Line Up Front
Building on its recent Covered List updates in December 2025 and January 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued another significant action on March 23, 2026, adding certain consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries. This update reflects the FCC’s expanding national security–focused regulation of communications equipment under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, and it may limit the ability of affected companies to obtain equipment authorization, import, market, or sell such devices in the United States.
Analysis
As we previously reported (in January 2026 and December 2025), the FCC’s Covered List identifies communications equipment and services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security. Equipment placed on the Covered List is subject to significant restrictions, including limitations on authorization, importation, marketing, and sale within the United States.
