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Michael Kan / PCMag : The FCC says foreign-made routers and drones can now receive software updates at least until 2029, extending its earlier 2027 cutoff — The FCC's bans on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones initially included an expiration date on software updates, but the commission has now extended the cutoff from 2027 to 2029.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission updated a ban to allow foreign-made Wi‑Fi routers and drones to receive software and firmware updates through January 1, 2029. The move extends prior, stricter deadlines (March 1, 2027 for routers and January 1, 2027 for drones) after regulators warned foreign-made devices could pose risks to domestic network infrastructure. Existing devices will be able to get security and other limited updates (I and II class), but changes affecting radio transmission like output power or frequency (III class) remain prohibited. New or soon-to-market foreign-made routers and drones are still barred from U.S. entry, balancing security concerns with consumer safety and patching needs.
The FCC has reversed an earlier interpretation and will allow software updates and security patches for certain foreign-made routers, drones and other communications equipment through 2029. The agency concluded that blocking firmware updates could heighten cybersecurity risks by preventing vendors from fixing vulnerabilities in devices already deployed in the U.S. The move affects equipment from entities designated under national security rules and temporarily eases restrictions to ensure continued security maintenance while the FCC and other agencies refine long-term policies. For manufacturers, operators and security teams, the decision balances supply-chain security concerns against practical needs to patch devices and reduce exploit windows.
The FCC has pushed the compliance deadline for foreign-made routers and drones to 2029, giving manufacturers more time to meet new security and reporting requirements tied to national security concerns. The延longer timeline affects devices from companies that supply networking gear and unmanned aerial systems, aiming to reduce supply-chain and cybersecurity risks while balancing industry readiness. The extension matters because it delays stricter controls intended to limit equipment from vendors deemed high-risk, impacting telecom operators, retailers, and IoT ecosystems that rely on imported hardware. Policymakers say the move provides breathing room for firmware updates, certification processes, and market adjustments, but critics warn it could prolong exposure to vulnerable devices.
Michael Kan / PCMag : The FCC says foreign-made routers and drones can now receive software updates at least until 2029, extending its earlier 2027 cutoff — The FCC's bans on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones initially included an expiration date on software updates, but the commission has now extended the cutoff from 2027 to 2029.