Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ANNOUNCES THAT CALLS FROM PROVIDERS NOT LISTED IN ROBOCALL MITIGATION DATABASE MUST NOW BE BLOCKED FROM DOMESTIC PHONE NETWORKS
  -- 
WASHINGTON, September 28, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel welcomed today’s FCC deadline for blocking phone traffic from voice service providers that have neither certified to implementation of STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards nor filed a detailed robocall mitigation plan with the FCC.  Beginning today, if a voice service provider’s certification and other required information does not appear in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database, intermediate providers and voice service providers will be prohibited from directly accepting that provider’s traffic.  

“The FCC is using every tool we can to combat malicious robocalls and spoofing – from substantial fines on bad actors to policy changes to technical innovations like STIR/SHAKEN,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “Today’s deadline establishes a very powerful tool for blocking unlawful robocalls.  We will continue to do everything in our power to protect consumers against scammers who flood our homes and businesses with spoofed robocalls.”

In April, the FCC launched the Robocall Mitigation Database in which voice service providers must file certifications to inform the agency of their STIR/SHAKEN implementation status and, in some cases, their robocall mitigation efforts.  Hundreds of voice service providers have certified to either full STIR/SHAKEN implementation or full implementation on the IP portions of their networks.  Voice service providers certifying to anything short of full STIR/SHAKEN implementation must describe the robocall mitigation steps they are taking to ensure they are not the source of illegal robocalls.  All voice service providers must also submit identifying business information and the name and contact information for a person within the company responsible for addressing robocall mitigation-related issues.  If a voice service provider does not file in the database, as of today, intermediate providers and other voice service providers must block the noncompliant provider’s calls.

As of 1:30 PM EST today, 4,798 companies have filed in the Robocall Mitigation Database.  All of the largest phone carriers have certified to implementation of STIR/SHAKEN standards on their IP networks.  Many hundreds of other carriers have also certified to full implementation on their IP networks.  

While STIR/SHAKEN will improve the quality of caller ID information, it does not mean the call itself is legitimate.  This improved information will help verify the phone number from which the call was made – or flag that it is not verified – and help blocking services both at the consumer level and before the call reaches the consumer.  But consumers should remain vigilant against robocall scammers.  The FCC is committed to continuing to fight against malicious spoofing and illegal robocalls.

###

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).