US regulator says three TP-Link routers broke power limits

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US agency that sets rules for radio devices, has warned TP-Link Systems Inc. that three of its Wi-Fi routers exceeded legal power limits. The agency also said TP-Link may have submitted "false or incorrect information." Bloomberg reported the warning, and it could allow further bans on TP-Link products.

What this is about

A router is the box that spreads your internet connection around a home or office as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi runs on radio signals, and the FCC limits how strong those signals can be. The agency says the three routers went past those limits. The second concern is about paperwork: that the company may have given the agency wrong information.

What is not known yet

• The three router models are not named in the material available.
• It is not stated whether TP-Link has responded.
• It is not clear what a further ban would cover.
• No instruction to people who already own these routers has been reported.

What to do

If you or your business use a TP-Link router, the report does not say owners must act now. Watch for further FCC action, because it could affect whether you can buy or keep using one. Look for the model names when they become public, then check them against the router you own.