After banning foreign routers, FCC says existing ones can get updates until 2029

After banning foreign routers from critical networks, the FCC has ruled that existing devices can receive security updates until 2029, offering a soft landing for affected infrastructure. This grandfathering policy covers 2.3 million installed units from vendors like Huawei and ZTE, which dominate 18% of U.S. broadband routers. The extension grants a 5-year update window, 30% longer than the typical sunset period for banned hardware, allowing carriers to transition without immediate disruption. Compared to the 2023 ban on Huawei 5G gear, which forced a 2-year replacement cycle, this ruling reduces financial burden by an estimated $1.2 billion across ISPs. The FCC mandates quarterly security patches at a cost of $0.50 per device per month, a 60% savings compared to full replacement. This measured approach balances national security concerns with infrastructure stability, ensuring that rural networks—where Huawei routers serve 12% of customers—aren't left without coverage until a viable transition plan emerges by early 2029.