Router Drone Conditional Approvals
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) updates the FCC Covered List to exclude specified routers that received Department of War (DoW) Conditional Approvals, including Nokia Corporation’s Beacons, Open Network Terminal (ONT) Based Beacons, and Fastmile Gateway routers.
What it does PSHSB finds that the Conditional Approvals are “a specific determination” that the identified devices do not pose risks to U.S. national security and therefore concludes that it must update and maintain the Covered List to exclude them. The notice publishes the updated Covered List and a separate list of Conditional Approvals. The router approvals cover products from Netgear, Adtran, eero/Amazon Leo, Calix, and Nokia; the appendices also list Conditional Approvals for specified uncrewed aircraft systems and related equipment.
Who it affects The action directly affects manufacturers and suppliers of the approved routers and UAS products, equipment authorization applicants, testing laboratories, and telecommunications certification bodies. Nokia’s newly listed approvals cover its Beacons, ONT-based Beacons, and Fastmile Gateway routers. The Covered List’s restrictions continue to apply to covered categories and named entities outside the stated exemptions.
Why it matters The notice illustrates how Executive Branch national-security determinations and Conditional Approvals alter the scope of the FCC Covered List. Foreign-produced routers remain listed categorically unless granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or the Department of Homeland Security, while PSHSB provides staff guidance to TCBs, test labs, and applicants on the updates.
Key dates and numbers
- Released May 18, 2026; DA 26-495 (the document footer identifies DA 26-489).
- Router approvals for Nokia’s Beacons, ONT-based Beacons, and Fastmile Gateway routers run through October 31, 2027.
- The foreign-produced-router category was added to the Covered List on March 23, 2026.
- Relevant proceedings: WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, and EA Docket No. 21-233.