WASHINGTON, May 20, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today proposed and sought comment on shortening the amount of time afforded to certain small voice service providers for implementing caller ID authentication using the STIR/SHAKEN framework. New evidence indicates that a subset of small voice service providers are originating an increasing quantity of illegal robocalls.
Implementation of caller ID authentication technology—specifically, the framework known as STIR/SHAKEN—will reduce the effectiveness of illegal spoofing, allow law enforcement to identify bad actors more easily, and help voice service providers identify calls with illegally spoofed caller ID information before those calls reach their subscribers. The FCC has set a deadline for most large voice service providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN by June 30, 2021 in the Internet Protocol (IP) portions of their networks. But the Commission granted small voice service providers with 100,000 or fewer subscriber lines an extension until June 30, 2023.
New evidence demonstrates that a subset of small voice service providers appear to be originating a high number of calls relative to their subscriber base and are also generating a high and increasing share of illegal robocalls compared to larger providers. Thus, to meet the goal of protecting American consumers from illegal spoofed robocalls, the Commission today proposed shortening, by one year, the extension enjoyed by those small voice service providers which originate an especially large amount of traffic. These small voice service providers would be required to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the IP portions of their networks no later than June 30, 2022.
The Commission additionally seeks comment on how best to identify and define the subset of small voice service providers that that pose a heightened risk of originating an especially large amount of illegal robocall traffic. The Notice also seeks comment on whether to adopt additional measures, including data submissions, to facilitate oversight to ensure that small voice service providers subject to a shortened extension timely implement STIR/SHAKEN.
Action by the Commission May 20, 2021 by Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 21-62). Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioner Starks issuing separate statements.
