TP-Link Plans US Assembly to Gain Approval for Its Latest Wi-Fi Routers

Image: Ars Technica · Source

TP-Link announces plans to start assembling Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US by 2027 to meet regulatory demands and secure FCC approval amid national security concerns.

TP-Link, a major networking equipment manufacturer, is aiming to begin assembling its next-generation Wi-Fi 8 routers in the United States by as early as 2027. This move is part of the company's effort to comply with US regulatory requirements and obtain approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to sell its latest routers in the American market. Despite many competitors having secured FCC clearance for new models, TP-Link’s application remains pending due to scrutiny over its Chinese origins and supply chain origins.

The company announced it has signed a Letter of Intent with US-based Keytronic to become its primary domestic manufacturing partner, with assembly operations planned in Corinth, Mississippi. While the company has previously moved manufacturing to Vietnam and relocated its headquarters to California in October 2024, most of its components still originate from China, raising concerns under recent US regulations banning consumer routers manufactured wholly or partly abroad.

TP-Link’s uncertain timeline for US assembly partly stems from the lack of clear guidance from the federal government on how much domestic manufacturing qualifies a router for exemption from the foreign-device ban. TP-Link executive Steve Kovsky noted that many components are simply not sourced domestically, complicating compliance efforts. The company is proposing nearly a $1 billion investment to equip and build advanced automated manufacturing facilities in the US, aiming to create hundreds of jobs and demonstrate commitment to domestic production.

Obtaining FCC approval also requires favorable security assessments from the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, which evaluate national security risks. While other router manufacturers such as Netgear, Asus, and Eero have received exemptions, TP-Link continues to face intensified scrutiny amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including concerns about Chinese state hacking and past involvement of its routers in botnets and espionage activities.

Further complicating approval prospects, TP-Link has recently confronted legal challenges from Republican attorneys general in multiple states, accusing the company of misleading consumers regarding its ties to China and potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, a group of 21 Republican state attorneys general has urged the FCC to rigorously assess TP-Link’s security claims and require remedial actions as a condition for approval.

TP-Link asserts that its US products encrypt user data and do not share information with foreign governments. The company urged the FCC to apply consistent evaluation standards that other applicants have received and emphasized its commitment to security and investment in the US economy. However, the final decision on TP-Link's ability to market its Wi-Fi 8 routers in the United States remains pending amid ongoing regulatory and political complexities.