After banning foreign routers, FCC says existing ones can get updates until 2029
After banning foreign routers, FCC says existing ones can get updates until 2029
在禁止外国路由器后，FCC 表示现有设备可获得更新至 2029 年
The Federal Communications Commission is relenting a bit on its restrictive router rules, saying it will allow foreign-made routers to receive software and firmware updates until at least January 1, 2029. The FCC also expanded the waiver to cover more types of software updates. 美国联邦通信委员会（FCC）对其严格的路由器规定做出了一定让步，表示将允许外国制造的路由器至少在 2029 年 1 月 1 日之前接收软件和固件更新。FCC 还扩大了豁免范围，涵盖了更多类型的软件更新。
Previously, the FCC said routers currently on the market or already sold to consumers could receive security patches and other updates only until March 1, 2027. On Friday, the agency announced a waiver extension that lets devices receive updates until January 1, 2029, and said the waiver may eventually become permanent. 此前，FCC 曾表示，目前市场上或已售给消费者的路由器仅能在 2027 年 3 月 1 日之前接收安全补丁及其他更新。周五，该机构宣布延长豁免期限，允许设备接收更新至 2029 年 1 月 1 日，并表示该豁免最终可能会成为永久性规定。
The software-update cutoff date is part of a sweeping set of rules the FCC announced in March. Claiming that restrictions are needed for national security reasons, the FCC imposed a ban on new hardware and related limits on software updates for routers that were authorized for sale before the ban was implemented. 软件更新的截止日期是 FCC 在 3 月份宣布的一系列全面规则的一部分。FCC 声称出于国家安全原因需要实施限制，因此对在禁令实施前获准销售的路由器实施了新硬件禁令，并对其软件更新进行了相关限制。
Specifically, the FCC said in March that it would stop approving consumer-grade routers made outside the US, an action that affects virtually every router maker (with the possible exception of Starlink). The Trump administration is handing out exemptions to hardware makers that it decides are safe enough, with Netgear and the Amazon-owned Eero among those receiving exemptions so far. 具体而言，FCC 在 3 月份表示将停止批准在美国境外制造的消费级路由器，这一举措几乎影响了所有路由器制造商（Starlink 可能除外）。特朗普政府正在向其认为足够安全的硬件制造商发放豁免，Netgear 和亚马逊旗下的 Eero 目前已获得豁免。
The hardware ban is only for new devices, so all routers previously approved for sale in the US can continue to be imported and sold without obtaining a special exemption. But previously approved routers were hit with a separate rule that would prohibit software and firmware updates—unless the FCC keeps extending the cutoff date after which no updates can be installed. 硬件禁令仅针对新设备，因此所有此前获准在美国销售的路由器无需获得特殊豁免即可继续进口和销售。但此前获准的路由器受到了一项单独规则的限制，该规则禁止其进行软件和固件更新——除非 FCC 不断延长禁止安装更新的截止日期。
Drone and router extensions
无人机与路由器的延期
The new 2029 cutoff date announced Friday applies to foreign-made routers and foreign-made drones, which were both added to the Covered List. Devices on the Covered List “are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons,” the FCC says. 周五宣布的 2029 年新截止日期适用于外国制造的路由器和无人机，这两类设备均已被列入“受限清单”（Covered List）。FCC 表示，清单上的设备“被认为对美国国家安全或美国民众的安全构成不可接受的风险”。
Devices on the Covered List need waivers to continue receiving software updates, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology said in its waiver extension order on Friday. FCC 工程与技术办公室在周五的豁免延期令中表示，清单上的设备需要获得豁免才能继续接收软件更新。
“Under this waiver, all Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), UAS critical components, and routers produced in a foreign country that were authorized for use in the United States prior to these devices being added to the Covered List may at least until January 1, 2029, consistent with FCC rules, continue to receive software and firmware updates that mitigate harm to US consumers,” the FCC engineering office said. FCC 工程办公室表示：“根据此项豁免，所有在这些设备被列入受限清单之前获准在美国使用的外国制造的无人驾驶航空系统（UAS）、UAS 关键组件及路由器，在符合 FCC 规则的前提下，至少在 2029 年 1 月 1 日之前，可以继续接收旨在减轻对美国消费者损害的软件和固件更新。”
The waiver covers “all software and firmware updates to ensure the continued functionality of the devices, such as those that patch vulnerabilities and facilitate compatibility with different operating systems.” 该豁免涵盖“所有确保设备持续功能的软件和固件更新，例如修补漏洞和促进与不同操作系统兼容的更新。”
The FCC engineering office said it “will, as soon as practicable, recommend to the full Commission considering codifying this waiver through a rulemaking.” That means the waiver would become permanent, but the FCC could impose various conditions. This could happen through a rulemaking process in which the public is invited to comment on the impact of proposed changes. FCC 工程办公室表示，它“将尽快向全体委员会建议，考虑通过规则制定将此项豁免编纂成法。”这意味着豁免将成为永久性规定，但 FCC 可能会施加各种条件。这可以通过规则制定程序来实现，届时将邀请公众对拟议变更的影响发表评论。
Allowing basic software updates
允许基础软件更新
Extending the waiver to 2029 will “give the Commission an opportunity to consider a rulemaking on this subject,” and reduce “potential harm to the public interest,” the FCC engineering office said. The office said it will recommend making the waiver permanent for existing equipment on the Covered List and “any future covered equipment with similar characteristics.” FCC 工程办公室表示，将豁免延长至 2029 年将“使委员会能够有机会考虑就此主题进行规则制定”，并减少“对公共利益的潜在损害”。该办公室表示，将建议对受限清单上的现有设备以及“未来具有类似特征的受限设备”使该豁免永久化。
The Friday update also extended the waiver to so-called “Class II permissive changes,” while the original waiver covered only Class I changes. This expansion of the waiver seems to be mainly about ensuring that all basic software updates are allowed. 周五的更新还将豁免范围扩大到了所谓的“II 类许可变更”（Class II permissive changes），而最初的豁免仅涵盖 I 类变更。此次豁免范围的扩大似乎主要是为了确保所有基础软件更新都能被允许。
While extending or making the software-update waiver permanent will alleviate some concerns among router makers and users, the ban on new hardware may be a continued source of trouble. Many major router makers haven’t yet obtained exemptions that would let them import new models, and getting clearance could involve some negotiation with the Trump administration. 虽然延长或使软件更新豁免永久化将缓解路由器制造商和用户的一些担忧，但新硬件禁令可能仍是一个持续的麻烦来源。许多主要的路由器制造商尚未获得允许其进口新机型的豁免，获得批准可能需要与特朗普政府进行一些谈判。
TP-Link still seeking exemption
TP-Link 仍在寻求豁免
The ban extends to any device partially made outside the US, regardless of whether the router maker is a US-based company. But it appears that Chinese companies will have the most trouble obtaining exemptions. Chinese drone company DJI has not received an exemption and sued the FCC over the ban. 该禁令适用于任何部分在美国境外制造的设备，无论路由器制造商是否为美国公司。但中国公司在获得豁免方面似乎面临最大的困难。中国无人机公司大疆（DJI）尚未获得豁免，并就该禁令起诉了 FCC。
The process for gaining exemptions for routers and drones is the same, indicating that “Chinese-origin manufacturers like TP-Link may face a presumptive denial, while companies with manufacturing in allied nations like Taiwan, Vietnam, or South Korea could find an easier path,” said a report by the Global Electronics Association trade group. 全球电子协会（Global Electronics Association）的一份报告称，路由器和无人机获得豁免的流程相同，这表明“像 TP-Link 这样的中国制造商可能会面临推定拒绝，而那些在台湾、越南或韩国等盟国拥有制造业务的公司可能会走得更顺畅。”
One router maker still waiting for an exemption is TP-Link, which was founded in China but relocated to the US in 2024. The company has faced US scrutiny over hacking campaigns linked to the Chi… 目前仍在等待豁免的路由器制造商之一是 TP-Link，该公司在中国成立，但于 2024 年迁至美国。该公司因与中国相关的黑客攻击活动而面临美国的审查……