TP-Link Signs Letter of Intent for Mississippi Router Assembly

TP-Link Systems Inc. and Key Tronic Corporation signed a letter of intent for router assembly in Mississippi, a potential U.S. production shift as federal rules restrict authorization of new foreign-produced consumer router models.

The Oct. 19 plan names Key Tronic as a primary U.S. assembly partner at a facility in Corinth. Wi-Fi 8 products are among those planned for the line. Assembly could begin as early as 2027, subject to U.S. regulatory approval, but the companies have set no firm start date.

On March 23, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added foreign-produced consumer routers to its Covered List. New models in that category require conditional approval before receiving FCC authorization. The change does not prevent sales of models authorized before March 23.

TP-Link is seeking conditional approval for new router models. On Oct. 7, a coalition of 21 state attorneys general raised security concerns about the request and questioned TP-Link’s ties to China. TP-Link rejects claims that its routers threaten users’ security.

The proposed Mississippi assembly line remains subject to regulatory approval before work can begin.