Pai Eyes Regulation if Carriers Don't Roll Out Call Authentication in 2019
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai pressed major voice service providers to implement a call-authentication framework in 2019 to help combat call spoofing, saying he'll consider regulation if it appears some won't meet that timetable. "American consumers are sick and tired of…
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unwanted robocalls, this consumer among them," Pai said Wednesday linking to his 2018 exchanges with industry parties. "It’s time for carriers to implement robust caller ID authentication. Uniform adoption will help improve authentication throughout the network and make sure no consumer gets left behind." He applauded providers committing to institute the Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs/Secure Telephony Identity Revisited (Shaken/Stir) framework in 2019. "This goal should be achievable for every major wireless provider, interconnected VoIP operator, and telephone company -- and I expect those lagging behind to make every effort to catch up," he said. "If it appears major carriers won’t meet the deadline to get this done this year, the FCC will have to consider regulatory intervention." In November, Pai wrote 14 industry players demanding they begin providing caller ID authentication to consumers in 2019, and received responses on their plans (see 1811200027). "While some carriers committed to rollout these services in the coming months, others hedged, citing concerns that other carriers appear to have already addressed," the FCC said. CTIA "member companies are working hard to implement tools and coordinate with government officials in an effort to relieve consumers from the pain of unwanted robocalls," responded Scott Bergmann, senior vice president-regulatory affairs. "SHAKEN/STIR can help give control back to consumers by creating a framework to identify unverified calls." Some other telco and cable trade groups didn't comment.