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from the apparently-we-don't-own-the-hardware dept.
The Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) rules on Wi-Fi router firmware are having an effect on the market:
Network gear maker TP-Link will no longer allow people to install customized firmware on its Wi-Fi routers in the US – and the FCC is to blame. In a brief statement and FAQ posted this week, TP-Link – which is based in Shenzhen, China – said the FCC's revised rules on radio-based equipment makes user reprogrammable firmware illegal in America, and therefore it cannot sell in the US routers that can be re-flashed by their owners.
"Devices sold in the United States will have firmware and wireless settings that ensure compliance with local laws and regulations related to transmission power," TP-Link said. "As a result of these necessary changes, users are not able to flash the current generation of open-source, third-party firmware."
[...] The FCC earlier backed off a bit on the matter, but maintains it will not allow devices that can be re-flashed to operate outside authorized radio frequency bands. TP-Link, however, said that the FCC rules as they stand will not allow it to offer people the ability to reprogram their router firmware.
"The FCC requires all manufacturers to prevent users from having any direct ability to change RF [radio frequency] parameters (frequency limits, output power, country codes, etc)," TP-Link stated. "In order to keep our products compliant with these implemented regulations, TP-LINK is distributing devices that feature country-specific firmware."
Previously: New FCC Rules Could Ban WiFi Router Firmware Modification
FCC Clarifies Position on WiFi Routers: Okay to Modify OS but Not Radio Firmware
(Score: 3, Informative) by Runaway1956 on Sunday March 13 2016, @01:57PM
Netgear. They have a variety of routers available. If you search for "open router", they are easy to flash to either Tomato or DD-WRT. Everything is configurable from either of these network interfaces.
And, here, I want to put in a plug for Netgear. They are the only router company which actively supports customer modificaitons. Make your router do what YOU want it to do.
http://www.myopenrouter.com/node [myopenrouter.com]
Before you start flashing, BE SURE that you've read through the documentation at least twice.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 13 2016, @04:08PM
It might be the case that the U.S. government might be more lenient on U.S. based companies than on foreign companies that offer the same product.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 13 2016, @06:48PM
But soon all you will have are older models and at some point the supply will either dry up, or not be worthwhile.
FCC will win and beat down innovation, in the end.