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Update July 5th, 2026: This article has been updated. A representative from GlobLinker reached out to clarify that the device’s FCC certification predates the recent rule changes and is not affected by them, meaning GlobLinker can continue selling and shipping the device in the US. Separately, GlobLinker confirmed their pause in Amazon sales is unrelated to the FCC changes and is instead tied to a business decision around Amazon’s return policy; they intend to resume Amazon sales once that’s addressed. I have re-written parts of the article to reflect these clarifications.
In April of 2026, the FCC expanded its ban on foreign-made routers to include mobile hotspots, citing national security concerns. While the ban impacts the market in which GlobLinker operates, both prospective buyers and existing owners have little to worry about.
As noted by the FCC FAQ section, existing devices already purchased are not impacted by this ban. Further, devices on their certified list will remain available for sale. This means that GlobLinker will continue to work and you will continue to receive that 2GB a month for life data, so devices and data plans are unaffected. If you are a prospective buyer, you can still purchase it on their website, though Amazon availability has temporarily ended after GlobLinker pulled their listing over reported fraud.
Why did the FCC expand the ban on foreign-made routers and hotspots? There is concern of ‘backdoors’ being built into devices that could lead to infrastructure being compromised or spied on by state-actors. Previously, the government banned Huawei and ZTE products for this reason.
If GlobLinker isn’t the right fit for you, there are alternatives worth considering, though they may be more expensive and more limited. The Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot M7 is $499.98, for example, and is limited to specific carriers but it does offer 5G speeds. You can also still use your phone’s built in hotspot. My carrier allows me to purchase additional data, both domestic and international, though at a higher price, and my phone remains limited to my carrier’s network rather than one with the best signal.
Wondering if GlobLinker is worth grabbing? Read my full hands-on review here.