Recent discussions have centered on the United States government’s posture towards technology manufacturers based in China, with specific attention on network equipment providers. This article examines the verifiable facts concerning the U.S. government’s official actions and the regulatory standing of TP-Link, a prominent Chinese manufacturer of networking products.

The U.S. government, through various agencies, has taken concrete steps to address potential national security risks posed by certain foreign technology companies. These actions are a matter of public record and are not speculative.

FCC Actions on Communications Equipment

A key federal body involved in this area is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In 2019, the FCC initiated a rule that prohibits the use of its Universal Service Fund to purchase or maintain equipment from companies deemed a national security threat. The FCC maintains a public list, commonly referred to as the “Covered List,” which names these specific companies. Subsequently, in November 2022, the FCC adopted new rules that banned the authorization of new equipment from several Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE, for import or sale in the United States. These companies were placed on the Covered List due to security concerns identified by U.S. national security agencies.

Regulatory Status of TP-Link

TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese company with a significant global market share in consumer and business networking products, including routers, switches, and smart home devices. As of public records available today, TP-Link is not included on the FCC’s “Covered List” of communications equipment and services that are deemed a threat to national security. Therefore, the specific prohibitions that apply to companies on that list, such as the ban on new equipment authorization, do not apply to TP-Link based on current official designations.