The Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules that will limit which laboratories can test and certify wireless devices for the U.S. market. The restrictions take effect on December 1, 2028, giving manufacturers and testing organizations time to adjust their certification arrangements before the new framework applies.
Under the FCC decision, certification work for wireless products will be limited to laboratories located in the United States or in countries that provide reciprocal recognition of U.S. testing facilities. The change affects equipment such as Wi-Fi routers, access points, smartphones and other wireless devices that require approval for sale in the United States.
FCC rule changes the testing landscape
According to the FCC, approximately 82% of electronic devices had previously been tested in China. The adopted restrictions therefore alter an established part of the certification process for companies developing connected-home and networking products, including the wireless equipment used in residential technology installations.
The decision effectively prevents China-based laboratories from certifying wireless equipment for the U.S. market once the rules take effect. The changes may also create additional demand for accredited laboratories and testing-equipment suppliers outside China, according to the reporting on the FCC action.
- Effective date: December 1, 2028
- Covered area: Testing and certification of wireless devices for the U.S. market
- Eligible locations: The United States and countries that reciprocally recognize U.S. testing facilities
- Previously reported testing concentration: Approximately 82% of electronic devices were tested in China
For manufacturers, the rule concerns the laboratory location and recognition framework used during product certification rather than a new wireless-performance specification. Products such as routers and access points are among the equipment categories identified in the FCC decision, making the policy relevant to the networking supply chain that supports professional residential installations.
Ofcom adds 160 MHz to the UK 6 GHz allocation
The same Wi-Fi industry roundup also reported a separate spectrum decision from the United Kingdom’s communications regulator. Ofcom has approved another 160 MHz of upper 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi, expanding the available range from 5925–6425 MHz to 5925–6585 MHz. The regulations were announced on October 30 and are scheduled to take effect on November 10, 2026.
The newly added frequencies will be available for low-power indoor Wi-Fi and very-low-power devices without requiring Automated Frequency Coordination, or AFC. Ofcom said the change increases the United Kingdom’s license-exempt 6 GHz Wi-Fi allocation by 32% and provides additional capacity for Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8 and future Wi-Fi generations.
| Regulator | Decision | Timing | Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCC | Limits wireless certification to U.S. laboratories and laboratories in countries with reciprocal recognition | Effective December 1, 2028 | Changes certification options for wireless-device manufacturers and testing organizations |
| Ofcom | Adds 160 MHz to the UK’s upper 6 GHz Wi-Fi allocation | Effective November 10, 2026 | Expands low-power indoor and very-low-power Wi-Fi capacity in the UK |
Ofcom’s broader framework gives Wi-Fi priority in the 6425–6585 MHz range while assigning priority to mobile services in the remaining spectrum up to 7125 MHz. Standard-power and outdoor Wi-Fi operation will require AFC under the framework, which can also allow controlled Wi-Fi access to spectrum designated as a priority for mobile services.
The two decisions address different parts of the wireless ecosystem: the FCC action concerns the conformity and certification route for products entering the U.S. market, while Ofcom’s measure changes the spectrum available for certain Wi-Fi operations in the United Kingdom. Both developments are relevant to companies building, certifying or deploying the networking equipment used in professional AV and smart-home systems.
