November 6, 2018
Background: The Federal Communications Commission announced today that it sent letters to multiple voice providers, calling on them to “assist industry efforts to trace scam robocalls that originate on or pass through their networks.” Letters from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and Chief Technology Officer were sent to voice providers not currently participating in the USTelecom Industry Traceback Group’s ongoing efforts to identify the source of illegal robocalls.
The FCC also expressed appreciation for the work of the USTelecom-led Industry Traceback Group and its 20+ participants from across the wireline, wireless, VoIP and cable industries, “in the ongoing battle against illegal robocalls and harmful spoofed calls.”
FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary Harold and FCC Chief Technology Officer Eric Burger wrote: “Over the course of the two years that the USTelecom Industry Traceback Group has been in operation, the amount of time necessary to conduct a traceback investigation from start to finish has shrunk from months to weeks.” Harold and Burger added: “The partnership that the FCC and USTelecom have created in this space is exactly the kind of industry/government cooperation necessary for success.”
The following statement can be attributed to Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO, USTelecom:
“Robocalls are the number one source of consumer complaints to the FCC. Our member companies and the members of the USTelecom Industry Traceback Group are working together to track down the source and root out these illegal robocalls that scam consumers. This is one of the most effective ways to enhance the critical enforcement efforts of the FCC, FTC and other law enforcement agencies. We agree with the FCC that the more stakeholders who join these efforts, the more successful industry and government will be in reducing the scourge of illegal robocalls plaguing consumers.”
FCC letter to USTelecom president and CEO, Jonathan Spalter is available here.
Media Contact:
Brian Weiss, VP of Media Affairs | 202.326.7226 | bweiss@ustelecom.org