FCC clarifies foreign router ban applies to portable Wi-Fi hotspots

The Federal Communications Commission has clarified that its sweeping ban on foreign-made consumer routers also covers portable hotspot devices. The agency added the clarification to a frequently asked questions document this week. Under the updated FAQ, consumer-grade portable or mobile MiFi and hotspot devices for residential use fall under the ban. The FCC explicitly exempted mobile phones with hotspot features. Companies making consumer hotspots will need an exemption from the government to import and sell future hotspot models that have not previously been approved by the FCC. Devices that were already approved for sale in the United States can continue to be imported and sold without a special exemption. When the FCC announced the ban last month, it defined routers broadly as consumer-grade networking devices primarily intended for residential use that can be installed by the customer and forward data packets between networked systems. The new FAQ section also confirms the ban covers LTE and 5G customer premises equipment for residential use, residential routers installed by professionals or internet service providers, and residential gateways combining modem and router functions. Earlier versions of the FAQ had not specifically addressed whether portable hotspot devices were covered, though cellphones with mobile hotspot features were exempt.