TP-Link became the first manufacturer to close the possibility of installing third-party firmware on routers

The manufacturer of network routers TP-Link began to prohibit updating the firmware on the products it produces. Restrictions apply to routers with WiFi support operating at frequencies of the 5 GHz region. The manufacturer operates in accordance with the new rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States, which entered into force in November last year.

Officially, the FCC takes care that electronic devices that can emit radio signals do not conflict with other important devices. In this regard, the FCC has released new rules that require manufacturers to limit the possibility of the influence of self-made firmware of routers on the work of the radio module. About the new rules were known at the beginning of 2014, but since the FCC rules are not particularly interesting reading, they were noticed only by the end of 2015 .
')
William Lumpkins, a specialist at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), argues that these intentions are primarily aimed at ensuring security. According to him, games with a radio module can adversely affect the operation of a number of devices - from radar to medical devices like pacemakers and automatic insulin dispensers.

The custom firmware of the router, like the popular OpenWRT or DD-WRT, is able, according to Lampkins, to change the modes of operation of the router, which can entail unpleasant consequences - even creating a jammer that can clog the air within a radius of several hundred meters.

And, although it is common practice for the FCC to regulate such parameters, it is strange that in its recommendations one of the firmwares is mentioned by name - this is DD-WRT. This is a free Linux based firmware running on various routers.

As a result, the FCC does not seem to prohibit manufacturers to allow the installation of custom firmware, and users - to install them. But manufacturers are much easier to comply with the requirements of the commission to protect the radio module, simply disabling the ability to install the firmware, rather than spending money on trying to safely isolate this module from access to third-party firmware.

Naturally, manufacturers go the way that is easier and cheaper. In particular, recently one of the buyers of a fresh router, while trying to update the firmware, received an “error 18005”. Turning to tech support for explanations , he received the answer: already quite a large number of new router models have a restriction on updating firmware.

All future models will also come out with this limitation. According to TP-Link technical support, there is no way to remove the restriction. These restrictions apply only to routers operating at 5 GHz.

It should be expected that other popular manufacturers of routers will soon follow the example of TP-Link, and the era of open firmware with additional features will gradually end. Enthusiasts, perhaps, will try to release "free" iron without such restrictions, but this hobby will lose its mass character.