Starlink Secures FCC Exemption for Foreign-Made Routers Through 2028

The Trump administration has granted SpaceX's Starlink routers an exemption from a Federal Communications Commission ban on foreign-made networking equipment. According to a public notice issued by the FCC, the approval was backed by the Department of War, also referred to as the Department of Defense. The exemption will remain valid until February 1, 2028.

FCC Covered List Triggers Industry-Wide Scramble

The FCC's Covered List identifies communications devices deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security. When the commission updated the list to include all consumer-grade routers manufactured at least partially outside the United States, it set off a race among hardware vendors to secure waivers.

Because the vast majority of routers are assembled overseas or incorporate foreign-made components, nearly every major manufacturer has been compelled to seek an exemption. Netgear, Amazon, and several other companies have already received approvals, and SpaceX has now joined their ranks.

The Trump administration has maintained that foreign networking products represent potential national security vulnerabilities and has pressured companies to shift more production to the United States. Firms with ties to China are widely expected to encounter the greatest difficulty in obtaining exemptions under the current policy.

SpaceX's Global Manufacturing Footprint

SpaceX operates a factory in Texas, and some Starlink routers carry a "Made in the USA" label, leading to speculation that the company might be the only major router maker able to avoid the FCC's sweeping restrictions altogether. However, as PCMag reported in April, other Starlink routers are produced in Vietnam, making the exemption necessary.

The mixed manufacturing footprint places SpaceX in a similar position to its competitors, who also rely on international supply chains for consumer networking hardware. The exemption process highlights the ongoing tension between national security priorities and the realities of global electronics production, where fully domestic manufacturing of routers remains uncommon.

With the Starlink waiver now secured, attention turns to how the FCC will handle future exemption requests, particularly from companies with more complex international ties. As the deadline for existing exemptions approaches in 2028, the networking industry will be watching closely for signs of whether the policy tightens or loosens in the years ahead. If you found this article informative, please share it with your network and join the conversation about the future of domestic technology manufacturing.

Source: Ars Technica