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

Ulrich Speidel
2026-03-24T02:01:37Z

Well it's not entirely off-topic:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74787w149zo

Quote:

> One exception to the general absence of US-made routers is the newer
> Starlink WiFi router. Starlink is part of Elon Musk's company SpaceX.
>
> The company says the Starlink routers are made in Texas
>
To be frank, I'm not surprised. Ability to infiltrate and interfere with
someone else's network and the resources it harbours is a key advantage
in conflict. I'd be surprised if this wasn't actively exploited at scale
in fact.

On 24/03/2026 1:36 pm, Daniel AJ Sokolov via Starlink wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> this may be somewhat off topic, but I think you will all want to know
> this: Today, the FCC has declared that only routers manufactured in
> the US may obtain valid FCC certification.
>
> "Production generally includes any major stage of the process through
> which the device is made, including manufacturing, assembly, design,
> and development."
>
> I am not aware of any consumer grade router that would be considered
> made in the US under these rules. Are there any?
>
> Are there any routers that work entirely without open source software?
>
> Previously approved routers are still OK - kind of. The challenge
> there is that software updates are affected by the new restrictions.
> The FCC has provided an exemption until March 1, 2027, for certain
> software updates - after that, who knows.
>
> Manufacturers can apply for exemptions, if - and only if - they have a
> detailed, time-bound "U.S. Manufacturing and Onshoring Plan", Also,
> they must disclose competition-sensitive information.
>
> For the official documents, start here:
> https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-covered-list-include-foreign-made-consumer-routers
>
>
> FYI
> Daniel
>
>
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--
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Dr. Ulrich Speidel

School of Computer Science

Room 303S.594 (City Campus)

The University of Auckland
u.speidel@auckland.ac.nz
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~ulrich/
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