Why Netgear just got the first FCC router ban exemption in the US

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Netgear has gotten FCC approval to sell new routers in the US.
• The FCC ban restricts foreign-made routers from import or sale in the US.
• Existing Netgear routers will also continue to get updates.

Buying a new router in the US has become a tricky situation thanks to a new government ban on foreign-made routers. Now, one major manufacturer has been cleared for sales in the US, at least for the time being.

Exempted until 2027

Netgear is the first router company to score an exemption from the FCC ban, which was announced late last month. With this exemption in effect, the company now has conditional approval to sell its routers in the US, at least until Oct.1, 2027. The approval covers new consumer router models, including Netgear Nighthawk and Orbi ...