FCC Extends Software Update Deadline for Foreign Routers, Drones
Foreign-made routers and drones get two extra years of software updates under revised FCC rules.
The FCC just bought foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones a little more time. The commission extended the software update cutoff for these devices from 2027 to 2029, giving manufacturers and users an extra two years of breathing room.
The original FCC bans on foreign-made routers and drones came with a hard expiration date on software updates. That meant devices already in people's homes and businesses would eventually stop receiving patches and feature updates — a significant security and functionality concern.
Now the deadline sits at 2029 at minimum. That's a meaningful extension for anyone relying on affected hardware, particularly given how long routers and drones tend to stay in service.
The move addresses a practical headache: cutting off updates too soon risks leaving millions of devices vulnerable to exploits while users scramble for replacements.