TP-Link proposes $1 billion US router manufacturing alliance with Key Tronic amid FCC impasse over Wi-Fi 8 routers

Summary

TP-Link cannot sell its latest Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US while the FCC has not cleared them, even though rivals have received FCC approvals. To move things along, the company has proposed a $1 billion US Wi-Fi router manufacturing alliance with Key Tronic, a potential deal intended to end the ongoing dispute that is blocking its products from American homes. TP-Link is also pledging to assemble routers in the US, which is an appeal to the Trump administration.

Timeline

1. Tom's Hardware

   20 Oct 2026, 16:25 UTCSource ↗

   Tom's Hardware reports that TP-Link, which is at the mercy of the FCC over its ready-to-go Wi-Fi 8 routers, has proposed a $1 billion US Wi-Fi router manufacturing alliance with Key Tronic to end the saga blocking those products from American homes.

2. Ars Technica

   20 Oct 2026, 19:25 UTCSource ↗

   Ars Technica reports that TP-Link cannot sell its latest routers in the US despite rivals getting FCC approvals, and that it is pledging to assemble routers in the US to appease the Trump administration.