The Trump administration exempted SpaceX’s Starlink routers from the Federal Communications Commission ban on routers that are partly made outside the United States, according t...
The Trump administration exempted SpaceX’s Starlink routers from the Federal Communications Commission ban on routers that are partly made outside the United States, according to a public notice released on July 23, 2026. The exemption is valid until February 1, 2028. The FCC’s Covered List, which identifies equipment deemed a national security risk, now includes all consumer‑grade routers that contain foreign‑made components or are assembled abroad, except for devices that receive a specific exemption. Companies such as Netgear and Amazon have previously obtained exemptions. The administration cites concerns that foreign networking equipment could threaten U.S. security and has encouraged manufacturers to increase domestic production. SpaceX operates a manufacturing facility in Texas and labels some of its routers as “Made in the USA,” but other Starlink routers are produced in Vietnam, according to reports. The exemption applies to all Starlink router models regardless of where they are assembled and remains in effect for the duration of the notice. The exemption will stay in place until February 2028, after which the FCC may reassess the Covered List and any related security concerns.
- Publisher
- arstechnica
- Reliability
- high
- Published
- 7/28/2026, 10:00:30 AM
- Retrieved
- 7/28/2026, 10:00:30 AM
- Relevance
- 80%
- Confidence
- 85%

