STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER BRENDAN CARR

Re: 	Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls, CG Docket No. 17-59, Call Authentication Trust Anchor, WC Docket No. 17-97

Americans are fed up with robocalls.  They are tired of scam artists lighting up their phones.  They are done with fraudsters placing calls at all hours of the day and night.  And they are sick of spoofed numbers tricking them into picking up the phone.  Like many people today, I rarely answer my cellphone unless the caller is in my contact list.

All of this is why the FCC has elevated robocalls to our top enforcement priority.  We have imposed major fines on illegal callers.  We have created a reassigned numbers database to help combat unwanted calls.  And we have proposed rules to target illegal calls that originate overseas.

It’s now time for wireless carriers to step up their efforts.  And with today’s decision, we make clear that they have the power to do so.  This decision removes any doubt that carriers can block calls before they even reach a consumer’s phone based on call analytics.  And it clarifies that carriers can offer customers the option of blocking all calls that do not appear on a customer’s “white list” or contact list.  I expect that carriers will use this decision to take immediate and additional actions to combat illegal calls.

To ensure that providers do step up their efforts, I asked my colleagues to expand today’s Notice to seek comment on setting up a robocall scorecard.  The idea is to publicize data on each carrier and how effective they are at targeting and blocking illegal calls.  By bringing transparency to these metrics, we could enhance consumer choice and create additional incentives for carriers to continue their efforts to crack down on illegal calls.  So I look forward to seeing how the record develops on this idea.

Finally, our action today is no silver bullet.  It’s part of a series of actions we are taking to break the back of illegal robocalls.  Another important step will be industry’s implementation of the SHAKEN/STIR call authentication framework.  And on this score, I want to commend Chairman Pai for expanding today’s Notice to seek comment on requiring carriers to implement this framework.  By seeking comment today, we are now in a position to move directly to an order if industry’s own efforts to implement the regime fall short.

So I want to thank the staffs of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, the Office of Economics and Analytics, and the Wireline Competition Bureau for your diligent work on this item.  I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders on efforts to combat these calls.  This item has my full support.