NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
February 15, 2012 Janice Wise, 202-418-8165
E-mail: janice.wise@fcc.gov
FCC ADOPTS RULES TO STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AGAINST 
UNWANTED TELEMARKETING “ROBOCALLS” TO WIRELINE AND WIRELESS PHONES
Washington, D.C. – To further protect consumers from unwanted autodialed or prerecorded calls, often 
referred to as “robocalls,” the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today approved changes to its 
telemarketing rules.  Unwanted telemarketing calls and texts were consistently in the top three consumer 
complaint categories at the FCC in 2011.  Robocalls invade consumers’ privacy, and can, in the case of 
calls to wireless numbers, use up their minutes.  
The Order adopted today helps put an end to these intrusions by empowering consumers with increased 
rights under the FCC’s telemarketing rules.  The new rules reduce regulatory uncertainty with minimal 
burden on industry and maximize consistency with those of the Federal Trade Commission.  Specifically, 
the rules protect consumers by:
· Requiring telemarketers to obtain prior express written consent from them, including by 
electronic means such as a website form, before placing a robocall to a consumer;         
· Eliminating the “established business relationship” exemption to the requirement that 
telemarketing robocalls to residential wireline phones occur only with prior express 
consent from the consumer; 
· Requiring telemarketers to provide an automated, interactive “opt-out” mechanism during 
each robocall so that consumers can immediately tell the telemarketer to stop calling; 
and, 
· Strictly limiting the number of abandoned or “dead air” calls that telemarketers can make 
within each calling campaign.  
The rules also ensure that informational calls, such as those related to school closings and flight changes, 
continue to be available to consumers who wish to receive them.  
Action by the Commission February 15, 2012, by Report and Order (FCC 12-21).  Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners McDowell and Clyburn.  Separate statements issued by Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners McDowell and Clyburn.
For further information, contact Karen Johnson at 202-418-7706 or karen.johnson@fcc.gov.  Press 
contact:  Janice Wise (202-418-8165; janice.wise@fcc.gov).
-FCC-
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