FCC expands router ban to include portable hotspots and mobile devices

The Federal Communications Commission has expanded its ban on foreign-made routers to include portable hotspots and mobile Wi-Fi devices. The commission added portable or mobile MiFi Wi-Fi or hotspot devices for residential use and LTE/5G CPE devices for residential use to the list of banned equipment. The expansion comes just a month after the FCC announced a sweeping ban on new foreign-made routers from brands including TP-Link, Linksys, and Asus. The ban does not affect existing devices, but consumers may face several impacts when upgrading. With less competition from smaller manufacturers, prices for new hotspots may rise. Consumers may also see fewer new features and slower improvements to Wi-Fi standards. According to the article, 71 percent of broadband users rent equipment from their internet service providers rather than buy their own. With new retail options limited, more consumers may turn to ISP-provided equipment, which means monthly fees instead of one-time purchases. Some users may also rely more on phone tethering for mobile connectivity, though that approach can lead to higher mobile data costs, data caps, and faster battery drain.