Media Contact: 
Katie Gorscak
Katie.gorscak@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC UPDATES RULES TO CURB ROBOCALLERS’ ACCESS TO PHONE NUMBERS 
Agency Sets in Motion Rules to Deter Spoofed Robocalls, Protect National Security, Reduce Regulatory Arbitrage, and Promote Public Safety

WASHINGTON, September 21, 2023—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules that would strengthen and modernize the Commission’s requirements for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to obtain direct access to telephone numbers.  Today’s action adopts important guardrails to reduce access to phone numbers by perpetrators of illegal robocalls, protect national security and law enforcement, safeguard the nation’s finite numbering resources, reduce the opportunity for regulatory arbitrage, and further promote public safety.     

In 2021, following the directives of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, the Commission sought comment on strengthening its direct access rules to reduce access to numbers by potential perpetrators of illegal robocalls and address problems that have arisen from the growth of widely available VoIP software.  This VoIP technology can allow bad actors to make spoofed robocalls with minimal technical experience and cost.  Today’s action, consistent with the TRACED Act, will require applicants to submit additional disclosures and certifications regarding their ownership structures and compliance with the Commission’s rules and state law and takes targeted steps to address the concerns raised in the 2021 rulemaking.  These rules will require applicants seeking direct access to numbering resources to:

· Make robocall-related certifications to help ensure compliance with the Commission’s rules targeting illegal robocalls;  
· Disclose and keep current information about their ownership, including foreign ownership, to mitigate the risk of providing bad actors abroad with access to U.S. numbering resources;
· Certify to their compliance with other Commission rules applicable to interconnected VoIP providers including certain public safety and access stimulation rules, and requirements to submit timely FCC Forms 477 and 499 filings; and
· Comply with state laws and registration requirements that are applicable to businesses in each state in which numbers are requested.

In addition, today’s item codifies the Commission’s direct access application review, application rejection, and authorization revocation processes; directs the North American Numbering Council to study number use, resale, and reclamation to inform potential future Commission action in furtherance of its public interest goals; and seeks comment on proposals to further increase Commission oversight of entities with access to numbers, including those gaining access indirectly.

Action by the Commission September 21, 2023 by Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 23-75).  Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving.  Chairwoman Rosenworcel issuing separate statements.

WC Docket No. 13-97, 07-243, 20-67; IB Docket No. 16-155

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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).