What Is the FCC Covered List?
The FCC Covered List bans certain networking equipment from US federal networks and blocks new product authorizations. Here's what it means for your home router.
The FCC Covered List bans certain networking equipment from US federal networks and blocks new product authorizations. Here's what it means for your home router.
The FCC Covered List - formally the "List of Equipment and Services Covered by Section 2 of the Secure Networks Act" - identifies communications equipment and services that pose an unacceptable national security risk to US networks. Equipment from companies on this list cannot be authorized for sale in the US through FCC channels, and cannot be purchased by federal agencies using federal subsidy funds.
Once on the Covered List, a company's equipment (1) cannot receive new FCC equipment authorization, meaning new products cannot legally be sold in the US; (2) cannot be purchased by entities receiving federal subsidies through programs like the Universal Service Fund; and (3) previously authorized equipment may have its authorization revoked.
The Covered List does not make it illegal for consumers to own or use listed equipment. It primarily affects sales authorization and federal procurement. A consumer can still legally use a Huawei router purchased before restrictions took effect. However, the practical effect is that no new Covered List equipment can be sold through authorized US channels, and it receives no security updates or US support.
If you own a router from a Covered List company (Huawei, ZTE), it cannot be legally updated or replaced through normal US retail channels. More importantly, these companies provide no US security support, meaning any vulnerability discovered will never be patched. Check your router's security grade at ismyroutersafe.com to see where it stands.
As of March 2026, TP-Link is not formally on the FCC Covered List. However, TP-Link faces separate FCC action: new TP-Link models are blocked from receiving FCC equipment authorization following an investigation. The DOJ and Congress are separately investigating TP-Link for national security concerns.
It is generally legal for consumers to use equipment they already own from Covered List companies. The restrictions primarily affect new sales and federal procurement. However, security experts recommend replacing this equipment because it receives no firmware updates and carries ongoing national security risk.
The FCC reviews nominations submitted by the public, agencies, and its own staff. Companies can challenge their listing. The FCC evaluates whether equipment poses an unacceptable national security risk based on intelligence reports and technical analysis.
The FCC Covered List is updated periodically as new companies are evaluated. Kaspersky Lab was added in 2022. The list reflects the current FCC's assessment and can change as geopolitical and security situations evolve.
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