The cable industry's primary lobby group, NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant an expedited waiver on its ban of foreign-made routers. The group warns of potential chaos in home broadband services if cable providers are unable to modify certain router components.
In March, the FCC added all consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the U.S. to its Covered List, citing national security risks. The decision effectively barred the import and sale of new or modified models of these routers in the country.
In a petition filed Tuesday, NCTA requested permission for its members' suppliers to make specific changes to existing routers, such as substituting substrate materials and memory modules, provided these alterations comply with FCC regulations. The group argued that the current restrictions could lead to significant disruptions for American consumers.
'These changes are essential to maintaining uninterrupted service for millions of households,' NCTA stated in its petition.
The FCC has yet to respond to the request, but the move highlights ongoing tension between national security concerns and the practical needs of domestic industries. The outcome could have broad implications for both American consumers and the cable sector, which relies heavily on foreign-manufactured technology.