Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC TAKES MORE STEPS TO COMBAT SPOOFED ROBOCALLS 
New Rules Promote Caller ID Authentication Across America’s Phone Networks
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WASHINGTON, September 29, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to further promote implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework to protect consumers against malicious caller ID spoofing.  The new rules make clear the obligations and deadlines for voice service providers regarding caller ID authentication, advance the use of caller ID authentication across the nation’s phone networks, and prohibit voice service providers from adding any line item charges to the bills of consumer or small business customer subscribers for caller ID authentication technology.  

Earlier this year, the FCC required that the STIR/SHAKEN framework—an Internet Protocol (IP) based standard—be implemented on IP-based phone networks by June 30, 2021.  The Second Report and Order adopted today continues the FCC’s work to combat illegally spoofed robocalls and implement the TRACED Act.  The new rules require voice service providers to either upgrade their non-IP networks to IP and implement STIR/SHAKEN, or work to develop a non-IP caller ID authentication solution.  They also require intermediate providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN so that IP calls retain caller ID authentication throughout the call path.  And the new rules prohibit carriers from adding a line item to the bills of consumers and small businesses for caller ID authentication technology.

In the Order, the Commission grants limited extensions of the STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadline to small voice providers, voice service providers that are currently incapable of obtaining a “certificate” necessary to implement STIR/SHAKEN, services scheduled for discontinuance, and non-IP networks.  The new rules stipulate that providers receiving an extension must implement robocall mitigation programs.  By requiring robocall mitigation by providers that have not yet implemented caller ID authentication, the rules combat robocalls even from networks that aren’t yet capable of participating in STIR/SHAKEN.

Caller ID authentication, based on STIR/SHAKEN standards, enables voice service providers to verify that the caller ID information transmitted with a call matches the caller’s phone number.  This effort started in 2017 with the FCC launching a formal inquiry on the best way to establish a reliable system to verify the caller ID information that appears on the recipient's phone.  Following a number of rulemaking actions, an FCC summit, and implementation of the TRACED Act, this groundbreaking consumer protection technology is already helping consumers and will be fully implemented across major phone networks next year.  

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

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. Cir. 1974).