Radford University experts available: Foreign router ban puts squeeze on supply chain
Radford, VA (03/31/2026) — Last week, the Federal Communications Commission banned the sale of all new foreign-made internet routers. The commission said the regulation was made to protect U.S. networks from hardware with vulnerabilities that can lead to security breaches and data theft. While this new regulation won't impact routers currently in use, almost all routers are produced in foreign countries, with China representing at least 60% of the supply. Nearly all routers, with the exception of Starlink wifi routers, which are made in Texas, are manufactured internationally.
In the short term, supply chain disruptions, such as product shortages and higher prices, could be felt by US consumers. Assistant Professor of Management Zachary Collier, whose research interests include risk analysis and supply chain management, can offer an explanation of the security and supply chain implications of this new policy.
Email: zcollier@radford.edu
Phone: (540) 831-6732
