移动通信网 程然
美国联邦通信委员会（FCC）于9月23日向CTIA和USTelecom两大行业协会发放了部分快速豁免，允许其成员的供应商和制造商对消费级路由器和网关进行"必要的"Class I和Class II许可性硬件变更。这一决定为今年3月实施的境外制造消费级宽带路由器禁令带来了阶段性松绑。该禁令覆盖范围广泛，包括网关、Wi-Fi路由器、扩展器和独立调制解调器，但不涉及企业级路由器。此次豁免有效期为一年，至2027年9月23日。
供应链压力倒逼监管让步
豁免需求的根源在于路由器制造商面临的现实困境。在AI数据中心需求激增引发的内存短缺和供应链约束之下，厂商需要对路由器进行相对细微的调整，包括更改内存容量、内存类型，以及更换不同类型的元器件和基板材料。另一些情况下，厂商需要用新元器件替换已到生命周期末期或临近退役的部件。
问题的症结在于，即便是此前已获FCC批准、或已从FCC国家安全威胁"涵盖清单"中移除的设备，供应商现在在进行任何微小变更时都需要申请豁免或有条件批准。按照技术标准，Class I变更指不影响路由器射频特性的细微修改，Class II则涵盖可能改变射频性能或设备辐射的实质性修改。USTelecom指出，修改后的设备、提升已授权设备能力的更新，或将美国产元器件替换为外国产元器件，均需获得豁免。
【关键数据】
- 豁免有效期: CTIA与USTelecom获一年期豁免（至2027年9月23日）
- 禁令实施时间: 2026年3月，覆盖消费级网关、路由器、扩展器及调制解调器
- 累计获批方: 超过30家企业或组织已获快速豁免或有条件批准
- 待批申请: ACA Connects、NTCA、Actiontec等仍在等待批准
行业阵营分头行动
CTIA和USTelecom虽在成员构成上有所重叠，但各自代表不同的行业切片。CTIA聚焦移动/无线服务和基础设施产业的利益，成员包括AT&T、Crown Castle、T-Mobile和Verizon。USTelecom的成员则横跨有线电信/宽带领域的大型、中型和小型运营商及供应商，包括altafiber、AT&T、Fidium、Telefonica、Lightcurve、T-Mobile和Verizon等。
两家组织加入了一个不断扩大的豁免阵营。此前，AT&T、Arcadyan Technology、Askey Computer、NCTA、Sercomm和Vantiva已获得类似的短期快速豁免。ACA Connects和NTCA已提交豁免申请，其中NCTA最近提交了第二份快速豁免申请，寻求比此前获批范围更广的豁免权限。从公开数据看，目前已有超过30家企业或组织获得各类批准或有待批申请，涵盖了行业几乎所有主要玩家。
值得注意的是，有条件批准的覆盖范围和有效期各不相同。Adtran的Service Delivery Gateway级路由器获批至2027年10月1日；Askey的Wi-Fi 8网关获批至2028年2月3日；Asus多系列路由器、中继器和接入点获批至2028年3月6日；SpaceX的Starlink路由器获批至2028年2月1日。而Vantiva针对AT&T部署的BGW620网关的申请仍在等待中——该公司计划移除该型号中的气压计和全球导航卫星系统电路及相应机械部件，理由是供应链短缺使其"不可能"再采购到原有气压计。
监管框架的长期考验
从行业视角看，这一连串豁免申请折射出国家安全监管与硬件供应链现实之间的深层张力。原禁令旨在将不受信任的外国设备排除在美国宽带网络之外，但AI驱动的元器件短缺使监管框架的刚性暴露无遗——连更换一颗内存芯片都需要监管审批，这显然不是制度设计的初衷。随着更多厂商提交申请、且豁免期限普遍延续至2027至2028年，FCC将不得不在国家安全考量和产业运转效率之间寻找更可持续的平衡机制，而非依赖逐案审批的临时豁免。对于全球路由器供应链厂商而言，这一监管动态值得持续追踪。
出处：CTIA, USTelecom get some broadband router ban relief
5 Min Read
(Source: Piotr Adamowicz/Alamy Stock Photo)
Two industry organizations – CTIA and USTelecom – have joined a group of other organizations and vendors that have secured short-term relief from the FCC's [ban on new, foreign-made consumer broadband routers](https://www.lightreading.com/security/fcc-disrupts-home-broadband-with-sweeping-foreign-router-ban), a category that includes everything from gateways, Wi-Fi routers and extenders and stand-alone modems. The ban, which was implemented in March, does not extend to business-class/enterprise routers.
On September 23, The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology granted (at least partially) expedited waivers to the [CTIA](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1028A1.pdf) and [USTelecom](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1027A1.pdf) that enable their members' suppliers and manufacturers to make "necessary" Class I and Class II permissive hardware changes to consumer-level routers and gateways. Those waivers are good for a year.
Generally, Class I changes include minor modifications that don't change the RF characteristics of a router, and Class II includes more substantive modifications that may alter RF performance or device emissions.
Related:[NCTA seeks second exemption from FCC's router ban](https://www.lightreading.com/regulatory-politics/ncta-seeks-second-exemption-from-fcc-s-router-ban)
The need for such waivers has surfaced as router makers look to make relatively minor changes, including alterations to memory sizes, types of memory and the swapping in of different types of components and substrate materials, amid memory shortages and supply chain constraints driven by demand from AI data centers. In other instances, router makers are looking to swap in new components to replace those that have reached end-of-life or nearing end-of-life.
The rub is that suppliers now require waivers or conditional approvals when making even minor changes to routers and gateways that were previously approved by the FCC and/or removed from the FCC's "covered list" of devices deemed to be a threat to national security.
USTelecom, for example, said waivers are needed for modified devices, updates that improve the capability of a previously authorized device, or to replace a US-produced component with a foreign-produced component.
USTelecom and CTIA support different slices of the industry, albeit with some overlap. CTIA is zeroed in on the interests of the mobile/wireless service and infrastructure industry with members such as AT&T, Crown Castle, T-Mobile and Verizon. USTelecom, meanwhile, supports a [membership](https://ustelecom.org/ustelecom-community/our-members/) spanning large, medium and small-sized operators and suppliers in the wired telecom/broadband arena, including service providers such as altafiber, AT&T, Fidium, Telefonica, Lightcurve, T-Mobile and Verizon.
CTIA and USTelecom join AT&T, Arcadyan Technology, Askey Computer, NCTA, Sercomm and Vantiva in obtaining similar types of short-term expedited waivers. ACA Connects and NTCA have [petitioned for one.](https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/verizon-arcadyan-net-router-waivers-ntca-aca-ustelecom-also-want-one) NCTA recently [filed a second petition](https://www.lightreading.com/regulatory-politics/ncta-seeks-second-exemption-from-fcc-s-router-ban) for an expedited waiver.
Related:[FCC router ban docket stays active](https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/fcc-router-ban-docket-stays-active)
##### Who's doing what?
Based on FCC data and Light Reading research, here's a roundup of companies and organizations that have been granted or are seeking conditional approvals and/or expedited waivers, and the current status of those requests:
* ACA Connects/NTCA: Expedited waiver requested. Awaiting approval.
* Actiontec Electronics: Expedited waiver requested. Awaiting approval.
* Adtran: Conditional approval granted for Service Delivery Gateway-class routers. Good through October 1, 2027.
* Alpha Networks: Conditional approval granted for 1700 and 2700 series of routers. Good through November 22, 2027.
* Arcadyan Technology: Expedited waiver granted. Good through June 26, 2027.
* Arcadyan Technology: Conditional approval granted for several CPE for T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Good through December 12, 2027.
* Askey Computer Corp.: Expedited waiver granted. Good through September 16, 2027.
* Askey Computer Corp.: Conditional approval for the ASK-NCM1100, ASK-NCM1100E, ASK-NMC300 and ASK-NCQ8000 (Wi-Fi 8 gateways). Good through February 3, 2028
* Asus: Conditional approval for multiple router models, repeaters and access points (RT Router Series, ROG GT Series, ROG Strix GS Series, TUF Gaming Series, ExpertWiFi Series, ZenWiFi Mesh Series, 5G MiFi Series). Good through March 6, 2028.
* AT&T: Expedited waiver granted. Good through May 15, 2027.
* Calix: Conditional approval granted for a handful of broadband routers, including GigaSpire-class routers (7u6m.2, 7u4txg, 7u4, 7u6.2) and the GigaPro 7p6. All are good through November 22, 2027.
* Comtrend: Conditional approval granted for several wireless router models (GRG-4366u, VG-8043u, PBL-6201, and NL-3131). Good through March 6, 2028.
* CTIA: Expedited waiver granted. Good through September 23, 2027.
* eero/Amazon: Conditional approval granted for several eero devices and Amazon Leo routers. Good through October 31, 2027.
* Gemtek: Conditional approval granted for the WRTQ-411BE and WNRFQQ-113BE routers. Good through January 3, 2028.
* Gryphon Online Safety: Conditional approval granted for the Parental Control Wi-Fi router. Good through January 10, 2028.
* Hitron: Conditional approval granted for a group of DOCSIS 4.0, DOCSIS 3.1 and FWA devices, including gateways, routers and hotspots.
* Humax Networks: HNR2306 and HNRM30 Wi-Fi 7 routers. Good through January 17, 2028.
* Miri Technologies: Conditional approval granted for the Miri X10 Travel Router. Good through December 12, 2027.
* NCTA: Expedited waiver granted. Good through June 9, 2027.
* NCTA: Seeking an additional expedited waiver that is broader in scope than the one approved in June 2027. Awaiting approval.
* Netgear: Conditional approval granted for several "Nighthawk" mesh, mobile and standalone routers. Good through October 1, 2027.
* Nokia: Conditional approval granted for multiple wireless routers and "Beacon" routers. Good through October 31, 2027.
* Sagemcom: Conditional approval granted for a handful of FAST-branded routers (FAST3994, FAST3897, FAST5698, FAST5699 and FAST5999), including a new DOCSIS 4.0 device. Good through December 5, 2027.
* Sercomm: Expedited waiver granted. Good through June 9, 2027.
* Sercomm: Conditional approval for the Air4992 Wi-Fi 7 router. Good through January 10, 2028.
* SpaceX: Starlink routers (models not specified). Good through February 1, 2028.
* USTelecom: Expedited waiver granted. Good through September 23, 2027.
* Vantiva: Conditional approval granted for the CWA438TX, DOCSIS 3.1+ modem with VoIP support. Good through January 8, 2028.
* Vantiva: Filed petition for expedited waiver on July 29, 2026. Petition is pending
* Vantiva: Filed additional petition for expedited waiver on August 17, 2026, specific to the BGW620 gateway for deployment by AT&T. Petition is pending. Plan is to remove the barometer and the global navigation satellite systems circuitry and its corresponding mechanical components from this previously-approved model. Vantiva reasoned that supply chain shortages have made it "impossible" to resource the barometer used in the BGW620. Petition is pending
* Verizon: Expedited waiver granted. Good through June 26, 2027.
* WNC: Expedited waiver granted. Good through September 16, 2027.
* WNC: Conditional approval granted for the LVR5A, LVM9 and LV85C Wi-Fi router models. Good through February 21, 2028
* Zyxel Communications: Conditional approval granted for the EE4210-00, EE6610-00, and 5GNR (NR5331) routers. Good through February 3, 2028.
Related:[FCC exempts new Starlink devices from router ban](https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/fcc-exempts-new-starlink-devices-from-router-ban)
## About the Author
[](https://www.lightreading.com/author/jeff-baumgartner)
Senior Editor, Light Reading
Jeff Baumgartner is a Senior Editor for Light Reading and is responsible for the day-to-day news coverage and analysis of the cable and video sectors. Follow him on [X,](https://twitter.com/thebauminator)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-baumgartner-036ba829/) and [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/jeffbaumgartner787.bsky.social).
Baumgartner also served as Site Editor for Light Reading Cable from 2007-2013. In between his two stints at Light Reading, he led tech coverage for Multichannel News and was a regular contributor to Broadcasting + Cable. Baumgartner was named to the 2018 class of the Cable TV Pioneers.
