Department of War Grants Conditional Approval for Gemtek Routers
On July 10, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) issued Public Notice DA 26-704 announcing that the Department of War (DoW) granted Conditional Approval for specific foreign-produced router models manufactured by Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd. Consequently, these approved models have been formally excluded and exempted from the FCC's Covered List.
The exemption applies to Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.'s WRTQ-411BE and WNRFQQ-113BE routers, effective July 10, 2026, and terminating on January 3, 2028. PSHSB determined that the DoW Conditional Approval constitutes a specific national security determination that these devices do not pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. persons.
- Affected Manufacturer: Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.
- Approved Router Models: WRTQ-411BE and WNRFQQ-113BE
- Conditional Approval Term: July 10, 2026 through January 3, 2028
- Associated Dockets: WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, and EA Docket No. 21-233
Regulatory Framework and Covered List Background
The FCC maintains the Covered List pursuant to Section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1609) and Sections 1.50002 and 1.50003 of the Commission's rules (47 CFR §§ 1.50002, 1.50003). The list catalogs communications equipment and services deemed to pose unacceptable national security risks.
On March 23, 2026, the Commission added routers produced in foreign countries to the Covered List based on an Executive Branch interagency determination (DA 26-278). That determination established an exception and evaluation mechanism allowing manufacturers to seek Conditional Approvals from either the DoW or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exempt qualifying hardware from the restrictions.
- March 23, 2026: Foreign-produced routers added to the Covered List under DA 26-278.
- Authority: Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 and 47 CFR §§ 1.50002, 1.50003.
- Process: Foreign router producers may petition DoW or DHS for review and Conditional Approval exemption.
Bureau Responsibilities and Staff Guidance
PSHSB updated both Appendix A (the comprehensive Covered List) and Appendix B (the ongoing registry of Conditional Approvals) attached to the Public Notice and accessible via the Commission's website. The Bureau noted that entities on the Covered List—including their subsidiaries and affiliates—remain subject to equipment authorization prohibitions under Commission rules.
Pursuant to Sections 0.191 and 0.31(i) of the Commission's rules, FCC staff will continue providing ongoing guidance to Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs), test laboratories, and equipment authorization applicants regarding the practical impact of these Covered List modifications.
- Guidance availability: Provided under 47 CFR §§ 0.191 and 0.31(i) for TCBs and testing laboratories.
- Bureau contacts: Chris Smeenk, Attorney Advisor, and Rebecca Clinton, Deputy Chief, Legal, Operations and Emergency Management Division, PSHSB.