The FCC says foreign-made routers and drones can now receive software updates at least until 2029, extending its earlier 2027 cutoff (Michael Kan/PCMag)

The FCC has extended the software update deadline for foreign-made routers and drones from 2027 to 2029, providing IT organizations with additional time to plan migration strategies and refresh cycles for affected infrastructure. This extension reduces immediate replacement pressure but maintains uncertainty around long-term viability of these devices, requiring CIOs to develop phased transition plans that balance budget constraints with security and compliance objectives. Organizations should use this additional window strategically to inventory affected assets, evaluate domestic alternatives, and implement gradual replacement without operational disruption.