Amazon Eero and Leo routers receive FCC conditional approval to bypass US ban

At a glance:

• Amazon's Eero and Leo product lines have received "Conditional Approval" from the FCC, allowing them to bypass a national security-driven router ban.
• The exemption covers an 18-month window from April 22, 2026, through October 31, 2027, including current and unreleased hardware.
• To secure this status, manufacturers must provide detailed plans to expand or establish manufacturing and assembly operations within the United States.

Navigating national security restrictions

Amazon’s Eero has become the latest networking brand to secure "Conditional Approval" from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), granting the company a critical lifeline to continue selling its routing hardware in the United States. This move follows a similar announcement from Netgear last week, as both companies scramble to avoid the "Covered List"—a regulatory blacklist for equipment deemed a risk to U.S. national security.

The FCC's heightened scrutiny began in March, when the agency determined that routers produced in certain foreign countries posed an "unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons." To avoid being banned from the market, manufacturers have been working around the clock to submit exhaustive documentation regarding the origin of their components and the specific locations where their devices are assembled.

Scope of the Eero exemption

For consumers and retail partners, the FCC's decision ensures that the current Eero ecosystem remains available without interruption. Amazon has clarified that the user experience will remain unchanged, asserting that customers can continue to purchase and utilize their products with the certainty that they meet rigorous federal standards.

According to official FCC documentation, the Conditional Approval is comprehensive, covering the following product lines:

• Eero
• Eero Pro
• Eero Max
• Eero PoE
• Eero Outdoor
• Eero Signal

This approval extends to the entire Eero and Leo family, ensuring that all existing models, as well as certifications for new and currently unreleased products, are protected. The specific exemption period is guaranteed from April 22, 2026, through October 31, 2027, providing a critical 18-month window of operational certainty.

The cost of compliance and domestic manufacturing

While Amazon has not disclosed the specific contents of its submission to the FCC, the requirements for Conditional Approval are stringent. Applicants are required to provide a detailed, time-bound plan to either establish or expand manufacturing operations within the United States. This process is not merely a paperwork exercise; it requires a transparent description of committed capital expenditures, financing, and other investments dedicated to U.S.-based assembly over the next one to five years.

Industry analysts note that this shift toward domestic production represents a significant financial hurdle. Building new factories on U.S. soil and supporting a higher-paid American workforce requires substantial capital investment. As these discussions proceed, the specific milestones and timelines Amazon has committed to will likely serve as a bellwether for how other tech giants navigate the intersection of global supply chains and national security mandates.

Market implications and the TP-Link struggle

While Amazon and Netgear have secured their positions, other major players remain in a state of regulatory limbo. TP-Link, which currently controls approximately 20% of the U.S. consumer retail router market, is still awaiting its own Conditional Approval. The company submitted its proposal earlier this week in an attempt to convince the U.S. government that it has successfully divested itself of previously concerning Chinese ownership ties.

The outcome for TP-Link could significantly shift the competitive landscape of the home networking market. If the FCC denies or delays approval for such a large market share holder, it could open a massive vacuum for approved vendors like Eero and Netgear to capture a larger portion of the American consumer base.