FCC Threat: TP-Link bullied and lock down situation worsening...
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I made a blog post about why the situation is worse than a general lock down:
https://www.thinkpenguin.com/blog
Linksys is also causing problems with there "open source" wifi router, but now TP-Link is going to be doing something similar because of FCC action. The media is making this out to be a good thing totally missing out on the fact it undermines our ability to get critical pieces of code (wifi firmwares). The wifi firmwares now contain critical components and without them we won't be able to do things like add proper mesh networking support. The benefits of flashing a router with third party firmwares will be wiped away. Basically if users can flash firmwares and only wifi firmwares are locked then the release of code for the wifi firmwares will result in these companies products becoming non-compliant. No chipset company is going to risk that. It was already almost certainly going to be an issue because users would not be able to flash third party router firmwares period so what good would releasing the wifi firmware source code be? Now doing so would certainly put companies into non-compliance should this code get released.
So in a nutshell, they want to lock just a tiny part of it (the wifi firmware), right?
And no mesh networking means the slow death of libre decentralized services (at least through wifi, which still sucks)?
Also, a device being non-compliant means it's illegal to get/use?
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The wifi is not a tiny part. Or it is and it isn't. It's a critically important part. What good is a wireless router where the wifi doesn't work? Or if you are willing to compromise your freedom/security/etc then what good is third party wireless router firmware when the community can't add the features for which add value over stock firmware? It's not just mesh networking. Mesh networking is just one example.
Yea- non-compliant basically means illegal. I believe there is a $20,000 fine per device sold. I believe it would also be illegal to use as well. There is a reason companies cease sales immediately upon notification by the FCC.
Sorry, I didn't meant tiny as a way to minimize the issue.
And I see your point with those further examples.
Well, bottom line is: that definitely sucks. What can be done, in your opinion?
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