[Starlink] Re: FCC declares all new router models illegal

David Lang
2026-03-24T22:12:08Z

Brandon Butterworth wrote:

> On 24/03/2026 04:02:14, "David Lang via Starlink"
> <starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net> wrote:
>> If they are actually banning FCC certification for anything not built in
>> the US, I don't expect it to last very long, the outcry will just be too
>> much.
>
> Well, TACO as always.
>
> There are several ways of looking at it.
>
> 1. It's just another shakedown to benefit insiders.
>
> 2. a lever to get manufacturing into USA, devices may remain much
> the same.
>
> 3. defensive as they are considering actions that may cause these
> to become more of a target so they want to be ready - see Viasat
> takedown in 2022.
>
> 4. a way to get NSA blessed devices in to replace other country
> agencies.
>
> Or any combination of these and more.

I actually believe that it's intended as a lever to get manufacturing back into
the US. But if it actually eliminates all routers, there will be pushback and
they will back off (at least in implementation timeline)

but while this administration has pushed to move manufacturing back, this would
be the first time where they have banned all products not manufactured in the US
in a category (they have banned the government from buying some products from
outside the US, but not all uses of a category of products by anyone in the US)

which is why I question the breathless reports as being both accurate, and the
intent

David Lang