Asus routers gain FCC's 'Conditional Approval' for sale in the US as TP-Link remains locked out — Asus's Wi-Fi 8 ambitions remain intact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allowed Asus routers to escape the US foreign-made router ban, but rival TP-Link is still waiting for approval. The decision means Asus devices are exempt from the ban and will be granted conditional approval, exempting them from the restriction until March 6, 2028. This exemption covers several of Asus' product lines, including Wi-Fi 8 routers, wireless repeaters, and access points.

The ban was imposed in March, prohibiting the authorization of new foreign-made routers without conditional approval from the Department of War or Homeland Security. The FCC claims foreign-produced routers create supply-chain vulnerabilities and severe cybersecurity risks, citing their participation in the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon campaigns as justification.

In April, Netgear became the first router brand to avoid the ban, followed by Amazon-owned Eero/Leo, Nokia, SpaceX/Starlink, and Askey. Asus recently unveiled its Wi-Fi 8 routers, with some already available in Canada and wider US rollout expected in October. The exemption is timely for Asus, but TP-Link remains in limbo despite meeting with FCC officials in April and claiming to be an American business headquartered in Irvine, California.

The uncertainty surrounding TP-Link's situation may delay their Wi-Fi 8 plans, particularly their October 8 release of the Archer 8 routers. Existing TP-Link routers are unaffected by the ban, as it only applies to authorization of new models.