Netgear can now sell new wireless routers in the US but nobody knows why

The FCC's recent ban on foreign-made routers has created regulatory uncertainty, but Netgear's unexpected approval without clear justification or commitment to US manufacturing raises questions about the consistency and transparency of the policy framework that will govern IT infrastructure decisions. This opaque approval process creates strategic risk for IT organizations as the regulatory criteria for network equipment remain ambiguous, potentially affecting procurement strategies, vendor relationships, and supply chain planning going forward. Technology leaders should prepare for evolving compliance requirements around network hardware sourcing while monitoring how other manufacturers navigate this unpredictable regulatory environment.