Router Conditional Approvals
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau announces that the Department of War granted Conditional Approval for Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.’s WRTQ-411BE and WNRFQQ-113BE routers, requiring their exclusion from the FCC Covered List through the approval period.
What it does The Public Notice explains that foreign-produced routers were added to the Covered List on March 23, 2026, subject to an exception for routers receiving Conditional Approval from the Department of War or Department of Homeland Security. PSHSB determines that the DoW approval is a “specific determination” that the identified devices do not pose unacceptable risks and updates the Covered List accordingly. Appendices provide the July 10, 2026 Covered List and the broader list of equipment with Conditional Approvals.
Who it affects The immediate action benefits Gemtek and users, test labs, certification bodies, and equipment-authorization applicants dealing with the two named router models. The notice also records existing conditional approvals for routers from companies including Netgear, Adtran, eero, Calix, Nokia, Alpha Networks, Sagemcom, Miri, Arcadyan, Hitron, and Vantiva. Covered List entities, affiliates, and subsidiaries remain subject to applicable FCC restrictions.
Why it matters The notice illustrates how executive-branch national-security determinations can modify the scope of the FCC Covered List without eliminating the general foreign-router category. It also makes approval periods central to compliance: the Gemtek exemption is time-limited, and FCC staff will provide guidance on the update.
Key dates and numbers
- July 10, 2026: release date and Covered List update.
- March 23, 2026: foreign-produced routers added to the Covered List.
- January 3, 2028: Gemtek Conditional Approval termination date.
- DA 26-704; WC Docket No. 18-89; ET Docket No. 21-232; EA Docket No. 21-233.
- 47 CFR §§ 1.50002(a), 1.50003: provisions cited for maintaining and updating the Covered List.