# TP-Link Taps US Company to Build Wi-Fi Routers

> TP-Link partners with Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi to bypass FCC ban.
- Title: TP-Link Taps US Company to Build Wi-Fi Routers · PCMAG
- Summary: TP-Link partners with Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi to bypass FCC ban. TP-Link plans to build Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi with Key…
- Keywords: tp-link, keytronic, wi-fi 8 routers, federal communications commission, us manufacturing, fcc router ban, technology, Taps, Company, Build, Wi-Fi, Routers
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/to-get-around-fcc-ban-tp-link-taps-us-company-to-build-wi-fi-routers
- Author: Michael Kan
- Published: 2026-10-19T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tp-link, keytronic, wi-fi 8 routers, federal communications commission, us manufacturing, fcc router ban, technology
## TP-Link Faces FCC Ban
TP-Link plans to partner with domestic electronics manufacturer Key Tronic Corporation to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi.
## Key Tronic Background
Key Tronic is headquartered in Spokane Valley, Washington, and started making keyboards before expanding to contract manufacturing.
## Letter of Intent
Key Tronic signed a letter of intent with TP-Link to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in its Corinth, Mississippi facility as early as next year.
## TP-Link's Goal
TP-Link hopes the announcement pushes other Wi-Fi vendors to make manufacturing commitments in the US and helps the Trump administration and FCC achieve supply chain reshoring.
## Component Challenge
TP-Link still needs to source components from overseas despite domestic assembly, as many components are not available from domestic sources.
## FCC Content Threshold
The FCC defines production as any major stage of the process including manufacturing, assembly, design, and development for the content threshold.
## Component Clarity
There is no clarity on what percentage of components must be US-made, as Qualcomm and Broadcom rely on foreign semiconductor manufacturing.
## Temporary Exemption
TP-Link is applying for a temporary exemption to the foreign-made router ban through conditional approval for domestic manufacturing.
## Conditional Approval
To apply for conditional approval, companies must submit a detailed time-bound plan for domestic manufacturing and country of origin for all components and software.
## Investment Plan
TP-Link told the FCC it was considering a nearly $1 billion investment to develop product manufacturing in the US, covering more than the Key Tronic announcement.
## State Lawsuits
Four US states filed lawsuits claiming TP-Link has misled the public about router security and could still source components from China.
## TP-Link's Response
TP-Link split from its Chinese counterpart in 2024 to become a US company headquartered in Irvine, California, with CEO Jeffrey Chao seeking US citizenship.
## Regulatory Timeline
TP-Link is proceeding on its timeline with regulatory applications and claims there is no undue delay from any regulatory agencies.
## Price Impact
TP-Link's first Wi-Fi 8 product is up for preorder in Canada at $999 CAD (US$705) with potential higher prices due to US manufacturing.
## Key takeaway

TP-Link plans to build Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi with Key Tronic to comply with US foreign-made router ban.