The Federal Communications Commission has added foreign-made routers and networking RF equipment to the Covered List as a direct result of cyberattack campaigns attributed to Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon threat actors using these devices to compromise critical infrastructure and life safety systems.
No new FCC equipment authorizations will be granted for foreign-manufactured RF networking gear. Devices already installed and authorized remain legal to operate — but new procurement is disrupted.
| Priority | Category | Regulatory Status | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 ACT NOW | LTE Fire Communicators | DIRECT | Life safety + UL 864 + LTE = highest single-point exposure. Backorders imminent. |
| 🔴 ACT NOW | Wireless Backhaul (AirMax) | DIRECT | Long-range RF links. Building-to-building bridging at risk of supply cutoff. |
| 🟠 MONITOR | Routers / Gateways | DIRECT | Core network infrastructure. Price spikes likely within 3–6 months. |
| 🟠 MONITOR | Access Points (WiFi) | DIRECT | SKU churn likely. Have 90-day buffer stock plan ready. |
| 🟢 LOWER | PoE Cameras | INDIRECT | No RF = not directly regulated. Preferred camera deployment path going forward. |
| 🟢 LOWER | Wired Switches / Cabling | INDIRECT | No FCC jurisdiction. Mild cost creep only. |
Every RF-enabled device in the NSF stack — routers, APs, wireless cameras, and especially LTE fire communicators — sits in the blast radius of this rule.
The most critical exposure is the CLSS LTE module category. These devices sit at the intersection of FCC RF regulation, UL 864 life safety requirements, and carrier network dependencies. A supply disruption here has direct life safety implications for monitored fire systems.
Wireless backhaul links (AirMax / UISP) are the second-highest risk — they underpin remote camera and panel connectivity across multi-site deployments.