December 4, 2019
“Landmark Consumer Protection Bill”
Background: The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, comprehensive legislation to combat illegal robocalls. The Senate is expected to consider the legislation shortly.
The following statement can be attributed to Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom:
“Here’s why the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act is a massive achievement and a landmark consumer protection bill: it supercharges the technology and traceback tools we know will cut down the illegal robocalls that are hijacking our phones and polluting our communications networks. The robocall battle won’t be won overnight, but today consumers notched a big victory against a determined enemy.
“The bipartisan coalition who responded to the robocall crisis and stayed at the negotiating table until the end deserves credit for leading this government response. Help is on the way because of the leadership of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) and Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Ranking Member Bob Latta (R-OH).”
USTelecom leads the Industry Traceback Group (ITG), a collaborative effort of companies from across the wireline, wireless, VoIP and cable industries that actively trace and identify the source of illegal robocalls. The ITG coordinates with voice service providers at all levels within the call path seeking to identify the source of and eliminate illegal robocall traffic. The ITG also coordinates with federal and state law enforcement agencies to identify non-cooperative providers so they can take enforcement action, as appropriate.