The FCC has granted Netgear a conditional approval to ship its next‑generation consumer routers, cable modems and gateways into the United States until October 1 2027. The agency cites a Pentagon determination that these devices pose no national‑security risk, even though all units are assembled in Asia and the company has offered no timeline for U.S. production.

The original ban leaned on the premise that foreign‑made routers could be hijacked, a claim amplified after the Volt Typhoon campaign targeted several Netgear models. Regulators normally require a detailed, time‑bound plan to expand U.S. manufacturing for conditional clearance, but the firm’s recent SEC filing contains no such commitment, leaving investors in the dark. The lack of a plan also complicates compliance monitoring by the agency.

Company leadership has framed the exemption as a step toward “stronger safety and security standards,” yet the FCC’s criteria focus solely on provenance, not on firmware hygiene or radio performance. Without a manufacturing pledge, Netgear can continue importing the listed Nighthawk, Orbi, CAX and CM series until the 2027 deadline, effectively sidestepping the broader ban. This may set a precedent for future foreign‑device approvals.